Terracotta fragment of a kylix (drinking cup) 530 BC

This terracotta fragment of a kylix (drinking cup) from 530 BCE, attributed to the Athenian potter Makron, is a prime example of Athenian black-figure pottery. The fragment showcases a portion of a female figure with a wreath, perhaps a maenad (female follower of Dionysus) from a larger scene. The distinctive black-figure style uses slips of black glaze to create the figures on the reddish-orange clay ground. This type of vase was common in ancient Greece, used for drinking wine at symposia and other social gatherings. This fragment, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, provides a glimpse into the artistic mastery of Athenian pottery during this period.