Terracotta kylix: eye-cup (drinking cup)
Interior, gorgoneion (Gorgon's face)
Exterior, obverse and reverse, between eyes, warrior
This is one of a few Attic cups with a so-called Chalcidizing foot that is characteristic of black-figure cups made by Greek potters in southern Italy. Though the question of priority has been much debated, the Attic examples are probably the earlier ones. The motif of ships occurs particularly on kraters (bowls for mixing wine and water) and kylikes during the late sixth century B.C. Analogies between sailing and the symposium (drinking party) appear in literature. Indeed, the effect of ships circumnavigating a drinking vessel full of wine must have been intoxicating in itself.
Exterior, obverse and reverse, between eyes, warrior
This is one of a few Attic cups with a so-called Chalcidizing foot that is characteristic of black-figure cups made by Greek potters in southern Italy. Though the question of priority has been much debated, the Attic examples are probably the earlier ones. The motif of ships occurs particularly on kraters (bowls for mixing wine and water) and kylikes during the late sixth century B.C. Analogies between sailing and the symposium (drinking party) appear in literature. Indeed, the effect of ships circumnavigating a drinking vessel full of wine must have been intoxicating in itself.
Artwork Details
- Title: Terracotta kylix: eye-cup (drinking cup)
- Period: Archaic
- Date: ca. 520 BCE
- Culture: Greek, Attic
- Medium: Terracotta; black-figure
- Dimensions: H. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm)
width with handles 14 5/16 in. (36.4 cm)
diameter of bowl 11 5/16 in. (28.8 cm) - Classification: Vases
- Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1956
- Object Number: 56.171.36
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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1022. Terracotta kylix: eye-cup (drinking cup)
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