Terracotta kylix: Siana cup (drinking cup)

Art Historical Context

This terracotta Siana cup, crafted around 575 BCE by the artist known as the C Painter, represents a fine example of Archaic Greek pottery from Attica. As a kylix, or two-handled drinking vessel, it was designed for use in symposia—the lively social gatherings central to ancient Athenian male culture. Its modest size and elegant shape made it both practical and visually appealing on the banquet table. The cup’s black-figure decoration, typical of the period, includes lively scenes of men, horses, shields, and the hero Achilles. These motifs reflect the Archaic interest in heroic mythology and...