Terracotta fragments of kylikes (drinking cups)

Art Historical Context

These terracotta fragments from kylikes, or shallow drinking cups, hail from Attic Greece in the second quarter of the 5th century BCE, during the height of the Classical period. Crafted by an unknown artist, they exemplify the masterful pottery production of ancient Athens, a hub of artistic innovation. Kylikes were essential for symposia—lively social gatherings where elite men reclined, drank wine mixed with water, and engaged in philosophical discourse, poetry, and games. Though fragmentary, these pieces offer a glimpse into everyday luxury items that were both functional and finely decorated. Terracotta, fired clay, was the medium of choice for such vases, often wheel-thrown and adorned with black- or red-figure painting techniques that captured mythological scenes, athletes, or daily life with remarkable detail and dynamism. Attic wares like these were highly prized, exported across the Mediterranean, and symbolized cultural sophistication. Their survival as fragments underscores the fragility of ancient artifacts, pieced together by scholars to reveal broader stories of Greek society. Generously gifted to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2011 by Dietrich von Bothmer, these shards enrich our understanding of Classical Greek artistry. Visitors, imagine sipping from such a cup amid the echoes of ancient revelry— a tangible link to Athens' golden age!