Kylix, Little-master cup/lip-cup/band-cup 550 BC

Curator: Before us is an exquisite example of ancient Greek pottery: a kylix, sometimes referred to as a Little-master cup, dating back to around 550 BC. Currently, it resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: My first thought? Elegant, even in monochrome. I'm drawn to its minimalist charm. It’s a silent song from a forgotten era, isn’t it? Curator: Indeed. This type of pottery provides valuable insights into the social dynamics of ancient Greece. Serving vessels like these were common at symposia, private gatherings where men engaged in intellectual discussions, shared poetry, and, of course, drank wine. The imagery they bear are not only decorative but provide historical and social commentary. Editor: So, it’s more than just a pretty pot! That deer is doing its thing on what's left of it. But the cracks! It looks like life happened—literally, doesn't it? A metaphor, maybe? Drinking deep then getting shattered by the truth. Is that too dramatic? Curator: The wear certainly tells a story of resilience. The decoration, while simple, highlights important aspects of Greek life and their relationship to the natural world. Notice how the deer and decorative motifs are neatly separated? It emphasizes harmony within distinct societal spheres. Editor: Harmony, yes! Although there’s that black band encircling it... a kind of shadow self lurking. Maybe the shadow is always there even during the Symposium? Curator: Your reflections are intriguing. Considering its presence in the Met's collection, the kylix continues its silent conversation. As scholars and observers engage with it across centuries, new stories, social, art-historical and personal, layer atop the object’s initial use. Editor: Like a new libation into the same cup, right? Reinterpreting history… Maybe that’s what all of us are doing, after all. Cheers to the deer, the shatter and all the rest!