Terracotta fragments of kylikes (drinking cups)
Unknown Artist
6th/5th centuries BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · Archaic
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
2011.604.3.2490a–c
Art Historical Context
These terracotta fragments from kylikes, or shallow drinking cups, hail from Attic Greece during the Archaic period (6th–5th centuries BCE).ed in the vibrant pottery workshops of ancient Athens, kylikes were essential for symposia—lively social gatherings where elite men reclined, drank wine, and debated philosophy or poetry. Though only fragments survive, they offer a glimpse into everyday luxury and ritual in classical antiquity, showcasing the technical mastery of Attic vase-makers. Terracotta, fired clay painted with mineral-based slips, was the medium of choice for these vessels, allowin...