Vases Black-figure Kylix Eye Cup: Athena
Eye Cup: Athena
View 1
View 2
View 3
View 4
View 5
View 6

Eye Cup: Athena

Black-figure Kylix · c. 530 BCE
The exterior of this cup is a set of two pairs of eyes on either side, with the figure of the goddess Athena in the middle in place of a nose. The eyes are large and opened wide with exaggerated tear ducts. Their irises and pupils are rendered as target-like circles, using added white and added red in addition to a bold black outline. Above the eyes are slim and curvaceous eyebrows. The Athena in the center, on either side of the cup, faces right with her head turned over her shoulder. The plume of her helmet extends all the way up to the rim of the cup. On one side, she points her spear to the right, extending her other hand outwards. Her helmet, shirt, and skirt are decorated with added red. On the other side, her spear is pointed upward, her pose much narrower. Though her aegis is not decorated with red, her helmet and skirt are.


Shape
Technique
Period
Archaic period
Date
c. 530 BCE
Culture
Greek
Dimensions
D: 54.61 cm
Findspot
Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Vulci (Etruria)
Museum
Harvard Art Museums
Accession Number
1960.323
Image Source
harvard
Images courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (CC0)