Terracotta mastoid (drinking cup in the form of a breast)
Unknown Artist
late 6th century BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
Overall: 4 1/8 x 8 5/16in. (10.5 x 21.1cm) diameter of mouth 5 1/8in. (13cm)
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · Archaic
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Arthur Darby Nock Bequest, in memory of Gisela M. A. Richter, 1981
Accession Number
1981.11.24
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the lively world of ancient Greek symposia with this intriguing terracotta mastoid, drinking cup cleverly shaped like a human breast, crafted by an unknown Attic artist in late 6th century. During the Archaic period, such vases were prized at all-male drinking parties, where their whimsical, often erotic forms added humor and sensuality to the festivities. Measuring just over 4 inches high with a generous 5-inch mouth diameter, this piece exemplifies the ingenuity of Greek potters in blending functionality with playful anatomy. Adorned with vibrant black-figure decoration—typical of...