Terracotta fragment of a kylix (drinking cup) 530 BC

This is a fragment of a terracotta kylix, or drinking cup, crafted by Nicosthenes, now residing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The fragment presents a striking composition of terracotta red set against glossy black paint, divided by a curved line that implies the circular form of the original vessel. The remaining figural work shows a profile view of a face, constructed with a stylized eye. The precision of the lines, combined with the contrast between figure and ground, creates a dynamic interplay. This fragment is more than just decoration, it embodies a semiotic system. Black-figure pottery, like this, uses the interplay of positive and negative space to convey narratives and cultural values. The texture of the clay, smooth and refined, speaks to the sophistication of ancient Greek craftsmanship. Consider how this fragment, once part of a whole, invites us to reconstruct not just the physical object, but also the cultural narratives it once contained.