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
2011.604.5.25a–l
Art Historical Context
These delicate terracotta fragments from 5th-century BCE Attic kylikes offer a glimpse into the vibrant world of ancient Greek social life. Kylikes, shallow drinking cups with a wide mouth and stemmed foot, were essential for symposia—elegant gatherings where men reclined, shared wine, and engaged in philosophical discourse, poetry, and storytelling. Produced in Athens during the transition from Archaic to Classical periods, these vessels exemplify the pinnacle of Greek pottery craftsmanship, blending utility with artistry. Crafted from fired clay and often decorated using the red-figure tech...