Terracotta fragment of a kylix (drinking cup)
Unknown Artist
first half of the 5th century BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · Archaic/Classical
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Dietrich von Bothmer, Distinguished Research Curator, Greek and Roman Art, 2011
Accession Number
2011.604.1.8725
Art Historical Context
This terracotta fragment from a kylix, or shallow drinking cup, hails from Attic Greece in the first half of the5th century BCE, the Archaic and Classical periods.ed by an unknown artist, it exemplifies exquisite pottery tradition of ancient Athens, where such vessels were essential for symposia—lively social gatherings of elite men featuring wine, conversation, and intellectual exchange. Kylikes were prized for their elegant form, allowing drinkers to sip while reclining, and often featured painted scenes on the interior tondo and exterior. Attic terracotta vases like this one represent a pi...