Terracotta kylix: eye-cup (drinking cup)

Unknown

ca. 540–530 BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

Obverse, between eyes, warrior and woman (Menelaos and Helen?) Reverse, between eyes, fight Graffito under the foot: I am Melousa's prize; she won the girl's carding contest The special interest of this kylix lies in the inscription. It is surprising that a girl who won a carding contest would choose or be given a cup decorated with military scenes. One explanation is that the prize was chosen from the potter's stock. When Menelaos reclaimed his wife, Helen, at Troy, he approached her threateningly but was disarmed by her beauty. If this is the subject of the obverse, the other combats also concern the Trojan War.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 540–530 BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek, Attic

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1944