Terracotta fragments of kylikes (drinking cups)
Unknown Artist
520–480 BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · Archaic/Early 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
2011.604.1.3037a–f
Art Historical Context
These terracotta fragments from kylikes—shallow, stemless drinking cups—hail from Attic Greece during the transitional Archaic to Early Classical period (520480 BCE). Crafted by an unknown artist, they exemplify the exquisite pottery tradition of ancient Athens, where such vessels were essential for symposia, the lively social gatherings of elite men featuring wine, poetry, and philosophical discourse. The enduring terracotta medium, fired clay coated in slip for painting, allowed artisans to depict vivid scenes from mythology, daily life, or athletic pursuits, though these surviving pieces of...