Cups and other drinking vessels
Consistent features for drinking cups during the sixth to fourth centuries B.C. are the relatively shallow shape, a foot that is connected to the bowl by a stem (except in the case of stemless cups) and two handles. The Greek name kylix (pl. kylikes) seems to have been used for the shape in antiquity, although it was probably applied to other drinking vessels too. Modern classifications such as Komast-, Siana-, Little Masters, and Types A, B, and C are useful for bringing to light the general course of the shape's development, which is broadly chronological. But not every example fits neatly into each type, and scholars have identified further variants, such as Cassel and Droop cups. In all cases, the handles are horizontal, often swinging upwards. Handles that meet at a point, such as those found on so-called Merrythought cups, are named 'wishbone handles'after the skeletal feature that they resemble.
Deeper vessels, such as the skyphos, mastos and kantharos, are also considered here, as are the rhyton, head- and figure-vases. Many are depicted in use, most obviously in symposium scenes. In particular, the kylix is used for the game of kottabos, which involved flinging the dregs of one's drink at a target. 'Mugs' are discussed under pouring vessels, but phialai are included here, for they were occasionally used as drinking vessels.
Cups
Komast cup
The earliest type of Athenian black-figure cup, adapted from Corinthian potters. Its lip is narrow and sharply angled from
the body ('offset'). The foot is short-stemmed and flaring. The name derives from its regular decoration with
representations of komasts, who also can be found on earlier Corinthian vessels.
Siana cup
Named after a site on Rhodes where examples were found, Siana cups can be distinguished from Komast cups by their taller feet
and lips. They are decorated on the interior (the tondo), another difference from Komast cups, and there are two schemes for decorating
the exterior. The 'double-decker' type involves two friezes on each side, one on the lip (usually floral), and a figured scene on the
body. The 'overlap' type uses a single frieze on each side to cover the total height of the body and lip. Aspects of the form and
decoration of Siana cups appear to be indebted to East Greek models.
Little Master cup
The term 'Little Master cup' is a translation of the German Kleinmeisterschale, alluding to the small scale of the decorative elements. It has a high-stemmed foot and an offset concave lip. Examples are divided into two categories; lip-cups and band-cups.
Although there are differences of shape - the lip is more obviously offset on a lip-cup than on a band-cup - the most obvious distinction is in the scheme of decoration. Band-cups are painted black save for the handle zone, which contains a decorated frieze, whereas lip-cups are largely plain save for the line that divides the lip and the body. In the handle-zone there is often an inscription and occasional decorative elements, while the lip may carry a single figure (often a bust) or a small group.
Type A cup
Developed in the third quarter of the sixth century, Type A cups do not have an offset lip, and their profile runs smoothly from the rim to a fillet at the junction between the bowl and the short flaring
foot. Examples are decorated in both black- and red-figure, and some are 'bilingual', but production ceases by the
early fifth century.
Type B cup
Like those of Type A, Type B cups lack the offset lip, but also the fillet at the top of the stem. The resulting profile is a
flowing curve.
Type C cup
Less common than Type B cups, these sometimes have an offset lip. There is a moulding low down on the stem. They are frequently
painted entirely black or decorated only on the interior.
Stemless cup
These cups lack a stem, and the foot is connected directly to the bowl. Most examples are painted all over with black-glaze.
Images of cups
- Komast Cup ht. 11 cm.
- Small proto-Siana cup ht. 6cm
- Siana Cup - Overlap ht. 14cm.
- Siana Cup - Double decker ht. 14.5cm
- Lip Cup ht. 10cm.
- Band Cup ht. 11.5cm.
- 'Droop' Cup ht. 12cm.
- Cup of Type A ht. 12cm.
- Cup of Type B ht. 8cm
- Cup of Type C ht. 9.5cm.
Skyphos, mastos and mastoid cup
The skyphos (pl. skyphoi) is a deep-bowled drinking vessel with a low foot and two short handles that are usually horizontal. It is regularly depicted in symposium scenes. Shallower versions of the shape, with a concave lip, are termed 'cup-skyphoi'. In the fifth-century, some skyphoi have a vertical handle. These are regularly decorated with an owl, an Athenian symbol, from where the name glaux (Greek for owl) is derived.
The term skyphos is ancient, although it seems also to have been used for cups (kylikes). Another term that is often used for deep straight-sided drinking vessels is the Greek kotyle (pl. kotylai), but this too seems to have been used in antiquity for cups of all sorts. Likewise, kylix also seems to have been used to refer to the shape we today term the skyphos.
A variation on the shape, the mastos (pl. mastoi; Greek mastos - breast), is named for its breast-like shape, which terminates in a nipple. Examples with a flat base and offset lip are termed 'mastoid cups'.
- Corinthian skyphos
- Large Athenian black-figure cup-skyphos
- Athenian mastoid cup
Kantharos
The kantharos (pl. kantharoi) is a deep vessel with two distinctive high handles. The stem of the foot is often tall. The form can be traced back to the eighth century, and kantharoi - perhaps metal versions- are frequently depicted on black- and red-figure vases, held by Dionysos or Herakles. Although the name is ancient (Greek kantharos - dung-beetle), it is not clear how precisely it was connected with this shape, and it seems that kotyle could have been used as well.
In the fourth century, the 'cup kantharos' is common. Its handles project horizontally, and do not return to join the body.
- Boeotian kantharos ht. 7cm
Boeotian black kantharoid cup - skyphos ht. 7cm
Black kanthoroid trick vase ht. 12cm
Boeotian red-figure kantharos ht. 20cm
Rhyton, head-vase and figure-vase
Rhyton (pl. rhyta) is a term applied to a drinking-horn, through which liquid may be poured (compare Greek rhysis - a stream). The shape originates in the Near East, where it may be elaborated by rendering the spout in the form of an animal head. Examples seem to have inspired Athenian potters to make their own versions. In many cases, the animal-head no longer serves as an orifice (the vessel is used as a cup, rather than for pouring), but the term rhyton is often used today nonetheless.
The animal head, such as a ram or mule, is mould-made and attached to the bottom part of the cup. The addition of mould-made heads is not confined to drinking vessels, and neither are the heads only of animals - female, satyr or African heads can be found for aryballoi and oinochoai too (these may be termed 'head-vases'). In some cases, two heads may be juxtaposed back-to-back ('janiform'). Occasionally the terracotta attachments may be in the form of complete figures, such as the riding Amazon or African mauled by a crocodile associated with Sotades (these are termed 'figure-vases').
- Athenian figure vase
- Athenian figure vase head
Phiale
Pottery examples of the phiale (pl. phialai) are relatively few. It is a metal shape, and the application of the name to the shallow dish lacking handles is certain. Those with a central depression on the exterior that rises up as a boss in the centre of the bowl are described as mesomphaloi. From depictions of the shape in use - most typically for making libations - we can see that it was held with the palm outstretched and the middle finger reaching into the exterior depression.
