Terracotta fragment of a kylix (drinking cup) 530 BC

This terracotta fragment of a kylix, or drinking cup, was made by Makron. The fragment’s surface displays a series of parallel black lines set against the warm, earthen hue of the terracotta. This simple yet striking composition invites us to consider how linear elements can define form and texture even in the absence of representational imagery. The repetition of the lines, broken only by the fragment's irregular edge and the dark, solid form in the corner, creates a rhythmic pattern. This pattern engages with the vessel's original function as an object handled and viewed in motion. The lines aren't merely decorative. They reflect an awareness of the interplay between surface, structure, and perception. The fragment challenges our understanding of completeness. It prompts us to consider how even a part can evoke the whole. This piece stands as a testament to the enduring power of simple forms and their capacity to communicate complex ideas about space, surface, and the very nature of perception.