Red-figure cup fragment. Side A: on far right, handle palmette. c. 460

Curator: This is a fragment of a red-figure cup, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. The artist is believed to be the Euaion Painter. Editor: Despite being a broken piece, the remaining palmette design still feels quite elegant, almost like a stylized sunburst frozen in time. Curator: It's a glimpse into the symposium culture of ancient Greece, where pottery like this was used for drinking and social gatherings. These painted scenes often reflected societal values. Editor: Right. The artistry and care put into this fragment speak volumes, don't they? Consider the relationship between craft, labor, and the consumption practices of the elite. Curator: Absolutely. It underscores how even fragments can offer tangible connections to past social rituals and artistic practices. Editor: Indeed. It’s a reminder that what survives isn't always representative but still offers a powerful, partial view.