Description:

Greek colonies, Southern Italy, Apulia, ca. 325 BCE. This is a beautiful kylix, a drinking cup, with two raised handles extending from near the rim and a pronounced foot. The black background has attained some iridescence from the firing process. The kylix was for drinking wine; this example may have been made solely to be placed as an offering in a tomb. Size: 9" L x 6.55" W x 2.1" H (22.9 cm x 16.6 cm x 5.3 cm)

Cups like these were made in variety of materials - terracotta, silver, and even gold! They were a vital component of the symposium, the formal drinking party frequently enjoyed by elite Greek men. The kylix played a crucial role in the drinking game of kottabos, where players attempted to throw the portion of wine - usually the dregs - left in their kylikes to knock a bronze disc into a larger one. Many frescoes and ceramic paintings show men reclining, kylikes raised above their heads, caught in the act of playing ancient Greek beer pong.

Provenance: private Ventura County, California, USA collection

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#124986

  • Condition: Rim chip with added pigment plus expected surface wear; otherwise quite nice.

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July 11, 2017 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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