Terracotta fragment of a kylix: eye-cup (drinking cup) 530 BC

Curator: This object before us is a terracotta fragment, specifically, a portion of a kylix, or what's known as an eye-cup. It's a drinking vessel dating back to approximately 530 BC and is attributed to Oltos. You can find it at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the contrast between the glossy black and the reserved figures, all confined to this triangular shard. There’s a weight to the remaining material, an echo of its original function. Curator: The process of creating these vessels was highly specialized. The clay would have been carefully selected, prepared, and then skillfully thrown on a potter’s wheel. The application of the black glaze was a complex process involving multiple firings to achieve that distinctive color. The production and use of these cups was ingrained in social rituals. Editor: Indeed, kylikes like these were often used at symposia, gatherings for aristocratic men, where drinking, conversation, and entertainment were intertwined. It speaks to the social stratification and cultural values of the time. Curator: Examining the decoration further, you see a stylized pattern with bands and seemingly abstract shapes, while we only see a fragment, we can suppose what stories the whole vessel might’ve held. The material, the craft, all point to the culture's relationship with the commodities around them. Editor: Right, it reminds us of the active role these objects played in shaping social dynamics. They weren't merely utilitarian, but significant participants in crafting identity. What survives serves as both an artifact and a social testament. Curator: I agree completely. This shard exemplifies how close looking reveals larger processes. Editor: Absolutely. Analyzing even a fragmented piece, like this eye-cup shard, offers a fascinating lens into production and culture.