Terracotta kylix: Droop cup (drinking cup) 540 BC

This terracotta kylix, or drinking cup, is a fine example of Athenian black-figure pottery from the Archaic period. Dating back to 540 BC, the piece was produced by the Group of Rhodes 12264, known for their distinctive style characterized by detailed figure compositions and use of white slip. The cup features a scene depicting a chariot race, a popular subject in Greek art that reflected the culture's fascination with athletics and competition. The black-figure technique, where figures are painted in black glaze on a red-clay background, is prominent in this piece, enhancing the visual storytelling. Currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the kylix is a testament to the artistic excellence of ancient Greece.