Terracotta fragments of kylikes (drinking cups)
Unknown Artist
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
2011.604.1.1380a–j
Art Historical Context
These terracotta fragments from kylikes—shallow, two-handled drinking cups—offer a glimpse into everyday life in ancient Attica during the 5th century BCE, spanning the Archaic and Classical periods of Greek art. Crafted by an unknown potter-painter, these pieces belong to the vibrant tradition of Attic vase-making, where pottery served both practical and artistic purposes. Kylikes were essential at symposia, elite male drinking parties that fostered philosophy, poetry, and social bonds, often featuring intricate painted scenes (though the specific imagery on these fragments remains partially ...