Terracotta skyphos (deep drinking cup) 520 BC

This terracotta skyphos, a deep drinking cup, was crafted by Psiax. Its warm, earthy tones create an inviting visual field, contrasted sharply by the black figures and interior. The cup’s form, with its wide mouth and curved handles, suggests a vessel designed for ritualistic or convivial use. The painted figures, rendered in silhouette, exist within a structured visual language. The frieze of alternating black and red geometrical figures just above the base, acts as a frame, grounding the narrative scenes. The palmettes that flank each handle emphasize the cup's symmetry, while the placement of the figures suggests a circular, continuous story. The cup’s function as a drinking vessel is not merely utilitarian but imbued with cultural significance. The imagery invites contemplation on the relationship between form and function, where the cup becomes more than a simple object. The interplay between the vessel’s shape, its painted decoration, and its intended purpose creates a site for endless re-interpretation, echoing the complexities of human experience.