Terracotta rim fragment of a kylix (drinking cup) 530 BC

Curator: This striking fragment, housed here at the Metropolitan Museum, is a piece of a terracotta kylix, a drinking cup, dating all the way back to 530 BC. It is attributed to Makron, a known pottery painter of his time. Editor: My goodness, that is old. I mean, staring at this small piece I can't help but see a rather expressive face. There is a fellow there being groomed; is he getting his hair styled? The intimacy in it feels contemporary somehow. Curator: Absolutely. Scenes like these provide a peek into daily life and social rituals of ancient Greece. The imagery is all painted in the black-figure technique typical for this period. We should remember how these cups often depicted mythological stories, athletic contests, and even symposium scenes, that provided social commentary to their user's life. Editor: Social commentary via cups—I like that. I bet they never expected us, centuries later, examining what they drank out of. What I find amazing, truly, is the detail in the fragment we have. That's not an idealized form there—this person is rather unique! The stylization reminds me of later Japanese art as well. Funny, how forms evolve in history only to reappear with distinct flavor later. Curator: What's also worth noting is the function of these objects within symposia. Serving as tools for civic rituals that promoted specific social roles and even political views. The images portrayed reinforced their understanding of hierarchy within ancient greek society. It certainly transcends merely an aesthetic piece when you put it that way. Editor: In this little red piece, yes. So much history and function is conveyed simply because people left stuff behind. We learn about our world and past selves as our own story unfolds here today in this museum space. Thanks for giving more than a glance as always, I would probably move right past. Curator: My pleasure! Examining how these fragments play within broader narratives is my own enjoyment.