Terracotta kylix (drinking cup) 480 BC

This terracotta kylix (drinking cup) from 480 BC, attributed to the artist Hieron, depicts a scene of five figures engaged in an athletic competition. The figures are rendered in black-figure style, a technique common in Ancient Greek pottery, and are depicted in a vivid red color against a black background. The cup’s form, characterized by its shallow bowl and two handles, was typical for drinking wine in ancient Greece. This kylix is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, offering art-lovers a glimpse into the visual culture of the Athenian period.