Greece, Athens, ca. 5th to 4th century BCE. This is a delicate Attic kylix (drinking cup) with finely shaped squared-off handles, a wide, evenly sloping bowl, and a delicate round foot joined to the body by a narrow leg. A glossy, almost silvery black glaze rings the interior, leaving a buff circle with thin black rings sparingly painted in tondo. On the underside of the bowl is a fern motif. The foot and undersides of the handles are also painted black. Size: 9" L x 7.2" W x 2.45" H (22.9 cm x 18.3 cm x 6.2 cm)

Cups like these were made in a variety of materials - terracotta, like this one, bronze, silver, and even gold! They were a vital component of the symposium, the formal drinking party frequently enjoyed by elite Greek men. The kylix played a crucial role in the drinking game of kottabos, where players attempted to throw the portion of wine - usually the dregs - left in their kylikes to knock a bronze disc into a larger one. Many frescoes and ceramic paintings show men reclining, kylikes raised above their heads, caught in the act of playing ancient Greek beer pong. Other kylikes were made specifically to be buried in tombs as offerings - probably the fate of this particular example.

Provenance: Ex-Private East Coast, USA Collection

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#121144

Small stable crack from rim partway into bowl; tiny chip to rim; otherwise intact.