Terracotta fragment of a kylix (drinking cup) 530 BC

This fragment of a kylix, a type of drinking cup, was created by the Athenian potter Aison in 530 BC. The black-figure technique, characteristic of the period, depicts two nude figures, one holding a kerykeion (heralds' staff) and the other a kylix, within a circular band decorated with a meander pattern. This fragment provides a glimpse into the rich artistic culture of ancient Greece and offers a window into the drinking customs of the time. The artwork, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a valuable example of black-figure pottery, which was a popular art form in ancient Greece.