Terracotta fragment of a kylix (drinking cup) 530 BC

This terracotta fragment of a kylix, or drinking cup, was made by Apollodoros in ancient Greece. We might consider how this object of daily life becomes elevated within the museum. Originally, the kylix would have been one of many, used in the symposium, or drinking party, a key social ritual for aristocratic men. What can this fragment tell us about that world? The image is a clue. Through the visual codes of dress and gesture, the artist could evoke shared stories and values. The lines and shapes of the figures suggest movement and drama. To fully understand this fragment, we must draw on a range of resources: archaeological reports, literary texts, and studies of ancient Greek social life. Museums play a key role in preserving and interpreting objects like this, but our understanding is always shaped by the questions we ask and the contexts we bring to the artwork.