Terracotta rim fragments of a kylix (drinking cup)

Art Historical Context

These terracotta rim fragments come from a kylix, the elegant two-handled drinking cup central to ancient Greek social life. Created in Athens around 510–500 BCE during the late Archaic period, the vessel was painted by the artist known as the Poseidon Painter. Though only the rim survives, the fragments reveal the refined shapes and decorative traditions of Attic pottery, which combined functional design with narrative imagery. In Greek culture, kylikes played a key role in symposia, the lively gatherings where men drank wine, discussed philosophy, and enjoyed performances. The cup’s wide, shallow bowl allowed participants to see painted scenes inside as they drank, turning every sip into an encounter with myth or daily life. Terracotta, the everyday yet durable medium of Athenian workshops, made such vessels both practical and affordable for many households. The Poseidon Painter’s work reflects the artistic transition of the period, when painters experimented with figure placement and border motifs on the curving surfaces of cups. As part of the Metropolitan Museum’s Greek and Roman collection, these fragments offer a tangible connection to the creative energy of Archaic Athens and the enduring legacy of its ceramic art.