Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)

Art Historical Context

Step into the lively world of ancient Athens with this exquisite terracotta ky, a shallow drinking cup crafted by the vase-painter Epiktetos around 510 BCE. Measuring just 2⅜ inches high, this petite Attic Greek vessel from the Archaic period was designed for the symposion—a male social gathering where wine flowed freely amid philosophical debates and poetry. Its modest size belies its role as a prized item for elite revelry, showcasing the refined tastes of Archaic society. Epiktetos, one of the pioneering figures in early red-figure pottery (though this piece bridges black-figure traditions...