Attic Black Figure Eye Cup

Attic Black Figure Eye Cup

Greece, Ancient

black-figure (pottery)

Attic (Mainland Greek pottery styles)

At 0.12 m in height (4.48 inches), this wide-brimmed cup with two low placed handles is fired using the black figure technique. There are two figures on the front. The figures, although not labeled, can be identified as Herakles and Athena thanks to their attributes. Herakles, as he is in many ancient art scenes, is wearing a lion's skin cloak and carrying a club in reference to his triumphant defeat of the Nemean Lion during the Twelve Labors. Athena is wearing her typical warrior's helmet in reference to her being both the Goddess of wisdom and born from the head of Zeus. The two figures are centered between two large eyes above the left of which is the painted "ΝΙΚΟΣΘΕΝΕΣ ΕΠΟΙΕΣΕΝ."

There are three figures painted on the reverse of the cup that are not pictured here. Their identities are not as easily deduced but can be viewed at the Getty Museum online catalog for the item (see sources below).

On Cup: ΝΙΚΟΣΘΕΝΕΣ ΕΠΟΙΕΣΕΝ

Transcribed: Νικόσθενες ἐποίεσεν

Translation: "Nikosthenes made it."

Nikosthenes

The J. Paul Getty Museum, "Attic Black-Figure Eye Cup", https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/11896/attributed-to-the-painter-of-the-villa-giulia-63613-signed-by-nikosthenes-attic-black-figure-eye-cup-greek-attic-about-530-bc/?dz=#e48fc216ee9f0349aa6ebfa101ba5bf2831c0d35

530-510 BCE

Pria Jackson, Tina Salowey (photo)

Images provided for non-commercial research and reference use only. No permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for educational uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). Should you have use questions or any legal concerns about this image or collection, please contact the Wyndham Robertson Library.

Part of Greek in the Wild: Inscriptions Explained

terracottas (sculptural works)

Black-figure

Ancient Greek

cups

eye_cup_01

Athens, Periféreia Protevoúsis, Greece

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