Terracotta fragments of a kylix (drinking cup) 530 BC

These terracotta fragments of a kylix, or drinking cup, were crafted by Makron, and are now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The remnants present a striking interplay of black and terracotta, a duality that immediately grabs the viewer's attention. The fragments offer glimpses into the cup's original form and decoration. Notice the geometric meanders bordering the illustrated scenes. These patterns create a structural rhythm, a visual syntax that frames the narrative within. The human figures, rendered in the red-figure technique, display a sophisticated understanding of form and movement, and the use of black slip to define details allows the figures to emerge vividly against the lighter terracotta background. Despite its fragmented state, the kylix invites us to consider the semiotic function of its imagery. The scenes depicted, although incomplete, suggest narratives rich with cultural meaning. The cup, once a functional object, now exists as a potent symbol of ancient Greek society and artistic practice, a structure holding lost meaning.