Terracotta rim fragment of a kylix (drinking cup)

Art Historical Context

This terracotta rim fragment of a kylix, a shallow drinking cup central to ancient Greek social life, was crafted around 490–480 BCE during the Late Archaic period. Attic artists like the Colmar Painter produced such vessels in Athens, where pottery workshops flourished amid growing civic and cultural developments. Kylixes were commonly used at symposia—gatherings where men reclined to discuss philosophy, politics, and poetry while sharing diluted wine—making even small fragments valuable windows into daily rituals and communal customs. The Colmar Painter’s work reflects the refined techniques of Attic vase painting, where terracotta provided a durable surface for both practical use and artistic expression. As a rim fragment, this piece likely once formed part of a larger composition that encircled the cup’s interior or exterior, inviting viewers to appreciate its design as they drank. Its survival underscores the enduring appeal of Greek ceramics, which traveled widely through trade and continue to illuminate the artistic achievements of the era. Now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Greek and Roman Art department, the fragment was generously donated by curator Dietrich von Bothmer, highlighting the role of dedicated scholars in preserving these artifacts for public appreciation.