Terracotta rim fragment of a kylix (drinking cup)

Art Historical Context

This terracotta rim fragment comes from a kylix, a shallow, two-handled drinking cup central to ancient Greek social life. Produced in Athens around 500 BCE during the late Archaic period, kylikes were used at symposia—male gatherings where wine, poetry, and conversation flowed. Their elegant form and painted decoration made them both functional objects and vehicles for artistic expression, with Attic workshops setting the standard for fine pottery exported across the Mediterranean. Attributed to the Colmar Painter, the fragment reflects the refined techniques of Attic vase painters active at the dawn of the Classical era. Even in its partial state, it speaks to the cultural importance of communal drinking rituals and the high value placed on visual storytelling in everyday items. Such works helped shape Greek identity and artistic influence for generations. Now part of the Metropolitan Museum’s Greek and Roman collection through a generous gift, this piece offers visitors a tangible connection to the elegance and sophistication of Archaic Athens.