Hand-made ceramic replica depicting a mythologial scene on interior, and geometric Greek key band around outside. The scene involves Hephaistus who is producing a helmet for Thetis, a sea nymph and mother of Achilles. Hepahaestus was the god of technology, blacksmiths, craftsmen, artisans, sculptors, metals, metallurgy, fire and volcanoes. When Hephaestus was thrown from Olympus, whether cast out by Hera for his lameness or evicted by Zeus for taking Hera's side, the Nereids Eurynome and Thetis caught him and cared for him on the volcanic isle of Lemnos, while he labored for them as a smith.

See additional photos for details. A beautiful addition to your household, or a wonderful gift. Approx. 15 cm  (5.9") in width (diameter) and about 3 inches in height.

*This is a hand-painted reproduction, individually signed by the artist.

Due to special handling requirements, please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery. Express delivery available upon request.

THE KYLIX WINE CUP
A kylix ( or cylix ) is a type of wine-drinking cup with a broad, relatively shallow body raised on a stem from a foot and usually with two horizontal handles disposed symmetrically. The word comes from the Greek kulix, "cup," which is cognate with Latin calix, the source of the English word "chalice". The almost flat interior circle on the interior base of the cup - called the tondo - was the primary surface for painted decoration in the Black-figure or Red-figure styles of the 6th and 5th century BC. After the kylixes were formed, an artisan drew a depiction of an event from greek mythology or everyday life with a diluted glaze on the outer surface of the formation. Inside the drinking bowl was often a portrait of dancing and/or festive drinking. Unique compositional skills were necessary for the artisans to attain due to the lack of verticals and horizontals on the surface. Kylixes were most popular during the Mycenaean times of the classic Athenian period of Ancient Greece. Because the primary use for the kylix was at a symposium - a "drinking party", they are often decorated with scenes of a humorous, light-hearted, or sexual nature that would only become visible in stages as the cup was drained.

GREEK RED FIGURE POTTERY
Red-figure vase painting is one of the most important styles of figural Greek vase painting. It developed in Athens around 530 BC and remained in use until the late 3rd century BC. It replaced the previously dominant style of Black-figure vase painting within a few decades. Its modern name is based on the figural depictions in red color on a black background, in contrast to the preceding black-figure style with black figures on a red background. Red figure is the reverse of the black figure technique. After the unfired vessels had dried to a leathery, near-brittle texture, paintings were applied. In Attica, the normal unburnt clay was of orange colour at this stage. The outlines of the intended figures were drawn either with a blunt scraper, leaving a slight groove, or with charcoal, which would disappear entirely during firing. Then, the contours were redrawn with a brush, using a glossy clay slip (a liquid clay and mineral mixture).