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Terracotta skyphos (deep drinking cup)

ca. 350 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 159
Obverse, seated woman, holding openwork processional basket and accompanied by two other women, Eros, and satyr
Reverse, seated woman with standing servant, Eros, and satyr

Openwork baskets of this type holding implements of sacrifice were carried by women in religious processions. The presence of a satyr and Eros on both sides of this vase suggests that the festival being celebrated is the Anthesteria. On the second day of this important Attic celebration devoted to Dionysos, the god of wine, he was united in marriage in a secret ritual to the wife of a high honorary official of Athens. It was apparently also a popular time for weddings in the city, and the seated woman on the back of this vase may be a bride being prepared for marriage. The basket and details of jewelry are in slight relief and gilded.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Terracotta skyphos (deep drinking cup)
  • Period: Late Classical
  • Date: ca. 350 BCE
  • Culture: Greek, Attic
  • Medium: Terracotta; red-figure
  • Dimensions: H. 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm)
    diameter 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm)
  • Classification: Vases
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1906
  • Object Number: 06.1021.181
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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Terracotta skyphos (deep drinking cup), Terracotta, Greek, Attic
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ca. 530 BCE
Terracotta lekythos (oil flask), Eretria Painter, Terracotta, Greek, Attic
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