Black-figure kylix (wine cup)
Black-figure kylix (wine cup)
Dateca. 540-530 BCE
Mediumceramic
Dimensionsobject: 4 x 8 7/8 in. (diam.) (10.2 x 22.5 cm)
ClassificationCERAMICS
Credit LineSBMA, Gift of Wright S. Ludington
Object number1955.3.2
Subject(s)
- men
Collection
- Antiquity
Sub-Collection(s)
- Black-figure
- Greek
On View
Not on viewCollections
Label TextWine cups such as this one were used at drinking parties known as symposia. The decoration on the different types of pottery used at these events reveals some of the concerns of contemporary society and their shape give us an idea of how they were used. On the outside of this cup are two hoplites, citizen soldiers who became increasingly important in this period. They represented both competition and camaraderie, something also seen at a symposion where attendees could form social bonds as well as verbally spar on topics such as philosophy and politics. The large eyes were something of a joke, transforming the cup into a mask whenever the drinker tipped it towards themselves to drink the wine. As they ‘made a face’ at their companions sitting opposite, the drinker was confronted by a picture of Medusa on the cup’s inside surface as they drank away the liquid.
1200-1521 CE
