Greek Archaic Painted Terracotta Skyphos
7th-early 6th century B.C. Conical in form with rounded shoulder, everted rim and two round-section handles; painted with concentric bands around the interior and exterior. Cf. Metropolitan Museum for similar example, accession no.66.111. 243 grams, 15.5 cm wide (6 1/8 in.).

Acquired in Europe before 1992.European collection.

The skyphos was already well known in Greece since the age of the Achaeans. In Homer, Eumaeus, the swineherd, prepares for his guest Ulysses a cyssibium filled with wine which the hero drinks during the meal and, when he is full, Eumaeus makes him drink from the cup in which he himself was using, a skyphos. Ulysses also offers Polyphemus a drink in a skyphos. (For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price.)