Drinking cup (kylix)Greek, Archaic Period, about 510–500 B.C.the Ambrosios Painter
Place of Manufacture: Athens, Attica, GreeceHeight: 11.2 cm (4 7/16 in.); diameter: 27.7 cm (10 7/8 in.)Ceramic, Red FigureInscriptions: "the boy is handsome" (P[AIS] [KALO]S)
Classification: Vessels
On view in the: Early Greek Gallery
Cup Interior tondo composition: A small nude boy is fishing as he crouches on a rocky ledge. He holds a woven bag in his left hand, and has a fish on the line. There is also a trap, shown under water, probably for the octopus hiding behind the rock. Above is the inscription (probably reading): "the boy is handsome" (P[AIS] [KALO]S)Exterior: Both sides show drunken satyrs cavorting. On one side, the satyr on the left holds aloft an amphora, while the one on the right balances a high-handled cup (kantharos) on his phallus. Above is the inscription KR[A]TES ELE[--]O, which may refer to the action of one of the satyrs, who is named Krates. On the other side two satyrs dance. The one on the right holds a drinking horn (rhyton). Above is an inscription which appears to say: E[-]KEA[-]SE, too fragmentary to decipher.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
archios