Terracotta rim fragment of a kylix: eye-cup (drinking cup)
Unknown Artist
540–500 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
2011.604.3.2289
Art Historical Context
This delicate terracotta rim fragment from a kylix—an elegant drinking cup—offers a glimpse into the vibrant world of Archaic Greek pottery, dating to 540–500 BCE. Hailing from Attic Greece, the heartland of early black-figure vase painting, this piece is classified as an "eye-cup," a distinctive type where large, staring eyes adorn the exterior. When lifted to the lips during a symposium (an elite male drinking party), the cup transformed into a whimsical, watchful face, blending functionality with playful artistry. Crafted in terracotta, the fragment exemplifies the Archaic period's technic...