Eye-Cup with Helmeted Heads (possibly Athena and Ares)

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Eye-Cup with Helmeted Heads (possibly Athena and Ares)

Artist Workshop of the potter Nikosthenes (Greek)

Place of OriginGreece, Attica

Dateabout 520 BCE

DimensionsH: 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm); Diam (lip): 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm); Diam (with handles): 11 17/32 in. (29.3 cm); Diam (foot): 3 11/16 in. (9.4 cm)

MediumBlack Figure; Wheel-thrown, slip-decorated earthenware with incised details; decoration: heads of a warrior and Ares, cocks and eyes

ClassificationCeramics

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1967.135

Not on View

DescriptionThis Type A kylix features a shallow bowl resting on a stemmed foot, with a fillet at the junction of bowl and stem that is painted red. The interior is decorated with a reserved circle containing a central dot and concentric circles in black slip. The exterior displays the standard "eye-cup" scheme: large, outlined eyes with pupils formed by concentric rings of black, red, and white. Between the eyes on Side A is a profile bust of a youthful, helmeted figure facing left. The face is drawn in outline technique rather than silhouette, with a notably thick forehead and nose but fine lip lines. This figure wears a short-crested Corinthian helmet pushed back, decorated with a unique crest consisting of a fig leaf set between the horns and ears of a steer. Side B features a bearded warrior facing left, drawn in silhouette with a helmet pulled down to mask his face. His helmet is high-crested and incised with a myrtle wreath. Under each handle, a bird (cock or hen) pecks at the ground.

Label TextThis drinking cup, or kylix, was designed for the symposion (drinking party). When lifted to the lips, the large painted eyes transformed the cup into a mask, playfully disguising the drinker as a monster to ward off bad luck. Between the eyes are two helmeted profiles. Early scholars identified them as Athena (the goddess of war) and a Giant, while later experts suggested they represent Athena and Ares, the two gods of war, in a friendly confrontation. However, the unique helmet decoration on the youth—a fig leaf between steer horns—remains a puzzle, leading some to believe these may simply be mortal warriors.Published ReferencesAuktion 34. Kunstwerke der Antike. 6.Mai 1967. Basel, Münzen and Medaillen, A.G., pp. 65-66, lot no. 131.

Riefstahl, Rudolph M., "Greek Vases," Toledo Museum of Art Museum News, vol. 11, no. 2, 1968, p. 33.

Riefstahl, Rudolph M., "Treasures for Toledo," Toledo Museum of Art Museum News,vol. 12, no. 4, 1969, p. 90.

Luckner, Kurt T., "Greek Vases: Shapes and Uses," Toledo Museum of Art Museum News, vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 76-77.

Von Vacano, Otfried, Zur Entstehung und Deutung gemalter seitenansichtiger Kopfbilder auf schwarzfigurigen Vasen des griechischen Festlands, Bonn, 1973, pp. 41, 233, A-169.

Schauenburg, Konrad, "Athenabüsten des Bowdoinmalers," Archaeologischer Anzeiger, 1974, p. 152, note 21.

Boulter, Cedric G., and Kurt T. Luckner, Corpus vasorum antiquorum: Toledo Museum of Art, U.S.A. Fasc. 17, Toledo, 1976, p. 25-26, repr. pl. 37 and 38,1, profile drawing fig. 5..