Kylix

Did You Know?

• The Greek word kylix could also refer to the cup shape of a flower.
• The Siana cup is named after a site in Rhodes where it was originally found.
• The Little-Master cup is named from German, referencing the small scale of its adornments.

Purpose

Kylikes are most strongly associated with symposiums, where sets of cups could match the kraters used for mixing wine. The mixing of wine with water, overseen by a master of ceremonies and served by a young male slave, was thought to encourage moderation and reduce the risk of drunken scandal. The short, broad shape of the kylix was well suited for reclined drinking positions, minimizing spills. The handles also allowed guests to play kottabos, a game in which a drinker would hook a finger into a handle and fling the last of the wine at a target. The tondo at the bottom of the basin often contained images meant to surprise and amuse, with themes ranging from maritime scenes to humorous designs, such as the male genitals on the Bomford cup. Literary comparisons between symposiums and sailing were common in the late 6th century.

Subtypes

Archaeologists have defined many types of kylix, often based on regional or chronological differences. A key feature is whether the cup has an offset lip. Type A, developed in the late 6th century BCE and fading by the early 5th, has a smooth profile, no offset lip, and a wide, short stem; it could feature both red- and black-figure art, sometimes on the same cup (bilingual kylix). Type B resembles Type A but has a thinner stem and a more curved join from basin to stem; it is the most common type found in Etruscan tombs.

Type C is less common, sometimes has an offset lip and carving on the stem base, but is often solid black with decoration only in the tondo. The komast cup, developed in Athens and inspired by Corinthian pottery, has a narrow lip, sharp offset, and short flared stem, decorated with drunken party scenes. The Siana cup has a tall foot and lip, a decorated tondo, and decoration in a style reminiscent of eastern Greek traditions, often covering the entire exterior. Compared to Little-Master cups, Siana cups have deeper basins and a less defined lip.

Decoration and construction

While most kylikes were plain and undecorated, adorned examples were used for special occasions like symposiums. The tondo could feature black-figure or red-figure painting, and the exterior was often painted as well. Black-glaze Type B kylikes appear to have been made for export to Etruscan settlements, as they are less common in Athens. Early designs include spiked flowers and whorled shells, sometimes with chevrons or dots.

Later designs include roosters, whose meaning is debated—possibly a love gift from an older man to a young man, or a reference to cockfighting. Other common symbols are also debated, though some kylikes contain sexually explicit images or party scenes. Many kylikes drew from mythology. Ridged varieties show less consistent craftsmanship than smooth ones, suggesting smooth kylikes were intended for elite consumers.

Polished kylikes or those with pores filled with slip made better drinking vessels. Most were ceramic, but they are believed to have been modeled after metal drinking vessels of the elite.

Famous pieces

The Brygos cup of Würzburg, about 480 BC, features symposium scenes and was made by the Brygos potter and painted by the Brygos Painter.