Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)

Art Historical Context

This elegant terracotta kylix, created in Athens during the mid-fifth century BCE, exemplifies the refined artistry of Classical Greek pottery. As a shallow drinking cup with a wide bowl and horizontal handles, it was designed for use at symposia—lively male drinking gatherings where wine was diluted and conversation flowed. Produced in the Attic region, such vessels were prized for both their utility and their painted decoration, often exported across the Mediterranean. Attributed to the Painter of Würzburg 487, an anonymous artist identified through stylistic analysis, the cup reflects the ...