Terracotta kylix: eye-cup (drinking cup)
Obverse, between eyes, warrior and woman (Menelaos and Helen?)
Reverse, between eyes, fight
Graffito under the foot: I am Melousa's prize; she won the girl's carding contest
The special interest of this kylix lies in the inscription. It is surprising that a girl who won a carding contest would choose or be given a cup decorated with military scenes. One explanation is that the prize was chosen from the potter's stock. When Menelaos reclaimed his wife, Helen, at Troy, he approached her threateningly but was disarmed by her beauty. If this is the subject of the obverse, the other combats also concern the Trojan War.
Reverse, between eyes, fight
Graffito under the foot: I am Melousa's prize; she won the girl's carding contest
The special interest of this kylix lies in the inscription. It is surprising that a girl who won a carding contest would choose or be given a cup decorated with military scenes. One explanation is that the prize was chosen from the potter's stock. When Menelaos reclaimed his wife, Helen, at Troy, he approached her threateningly but was disarmed by her beauty. If this is the subject of the obverse, the other combats also concern the Trojan War.
Artwork Details
- Title: Terracotta kylix: eye-cup (drinking cup)
- Period: Archaic
- Date: ca. 540–530 BCE
- Culture: Greek, Attic
- Medium: Terracotta; black-figure
- Dimensions: H. 4 15/16 in. (12.6 cm)
diameter 11 3/4 in. (29.8 cm)
width with handles 14 5/8 in. (37.2 cm) - Classification: Vases
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1944
- Object Number: 44.11.1
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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