Getty Museum

Attic Red-Figure Kylix Fragment

Date

about 490 B.C.

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek (Attic)

Department

Vessels

Institution

Getty Museum

Object ID

a625ca72-4392-4d93-9054-19d37443da98

Fragment of a drinking cup reconstructed from six fragments. The rim of the cup was broken in antiquity and cut away to form a stemmed plate—its edges were filed down to the frame of the tondo. Interior: Bearded man seated to the left, wearing a thin chiton with a scalloped neckline, fastened at the shoulder and along the arm with pins. He also wears a thick himation (mantle) over his shoulder and wrapped around his left arm. A fillet in added red binds his hair. He is seated on a diphros (folding stool) with an embroidered cushion. Behind him, two greaves are set on a shelf. At upper left, the top of a head looking to the right, wearing a fillet. Preserved on the fillet are two letters of an inscription: IS. Above both figures, a partial 'kalos' inscription is preserved. This scene may depict the sea nymph Thetis approaching the god Hephaistos to ask him to make divine armor for her son Achilles. Exterior: Warriors arming, their lower legs and some armor are preserved. At left, a helmet rests on a shield placed flat on the ground. In front of the shield are the toes of a foot to the left. Behind the shield are two greaves set on a shelf. To the right of the shield are the legs of three figures. Tied around the ankles of three of the legs are ankle guards in added red. The first figure to the right of the shield stands frontally, his left foot pointed to the right. The second figure stands in profile to the right with his left foot raised; a greave is set on the ground below his raised leg. The third figure wears a short chiton and steps to the left, crouched forward, knees bent. Behind him a shield leans in profile to the right (blazon: silhouette of a frontal bull’s head). To the right of the shield, possibly the leg of another figure to the left. Below, a border element of trapped meanders alternating with checkerboards framed by two reserve lines. The following fragments belong with the cup, but have not been incorporated: 87.AE.153; 88.AE.148; 92.AE.95.1-.2

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