Terracotta fragments of a kylix (drinking cup)
Unknown Artist
mid-5th century BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · 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
2011.604.1.58a, b
Art Historical Context
These terracotta fragments from a kylix, or shallow drinking cup, hail from mid-5th century BCEic Greece, the heart of the Classical period Athens flourished as a cultural powerhouse. Crafted in vibrant terracotta—a fired clay prized for its durability and versatility—these pieces are remnants of a vessel likely used in symposia, the lively social gatherings where elite men debated philosophy, poetry, and politics over wine. Attic potters were masters of the craft, transitioning from black-figure to red-figure painting techniques around this time, which allowed for more nuanced details in figu...