Eye-cup
Ancient Greek drinking vessel
Eye-cup[edit | edit source]
An eye-cup is a type of ancient Greek pottery drinking vessel, known for its distinctive decoration featuring large eyes painted on the exterior. These cups were primarily used for drinking wine and were popular during the late 6th and early 5th centuries BCE.
Design and Features[edit | edit source]
Eye-cups are characterized by their shallow bowl, wide mouth, and two horizontal handles. The most striking feature of these cups is the pair of large eyes painted on the exterior. These eyes are often accompanied by a nose, creating a face-like appearance when the cup is tilted to drink. The eyes are typically painted in black or red-figure technique, a style of Greek vase painting that involves painting figures in red against a black background.
The purpose of the eye motif is debated among scholars. Some suggest it served an apotropaic function, intended to ward off evil spirits. Others believe it was meant to amuse or surprise the drinker and onlookers, as the eyes would "come to life" when the cup was raised to the lips.
Historical Context[edit | edit source]
Eye-cups were produced primarily in Athens, a major center of pottery production in ancient Greece. They are associated with the symposium, a social gathering where men would drink, converse, and enjoy entertainment. The eye-cup's playful design may have added an element of humor to these gatherings.
Notable Examples[edit | edit source]
One of the most famous eye-cups is attributed to the potter and painter Exekias, known for his masterful work in the black-figure technique. His eye-cup depicting Dionysos, the god of wine, sailing in a ship surrounded by dolphins, is a celebrated example of this type of vessel.
Another notable example is the "Dionysos-Schale," which features a similar depiction of Dionysos and is housed in the Staatliche Antikensammlungen in Munich.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
