Bowdoin College Museum of Art | - Attic Red-Figure Eye Cup

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Artist

Bowdoin Eye Painter

Title

Attic Red-Figure Eye Cup

Creation Date

ca. 525 BCE

Century

6th century BCE

Dimensions

5 5/16 in. x 16 3/16 in. (13.5 cm x 41.12 cm)

Object Type

ceramic

Creation Place

Ancient Mediterranean, Italy

Medium and Support

terracotta

Credit Line

Gift of Edward Perry Warren, Esq., Honorary Degree, 1926

Copyright

Public Domain

Accession Number

1913.2

Originally used for communal drinking at an Athenian symposium, this cup features athletic figures and palmette motifs, painted in the later red-figure style. The eponymous eye designs on the sides of the cup were understood to provide protection from evil. The ear-like curved handles and mouth-like open base a produced a playful but dramatic mask when the cup was raised to the mouth, and the drinker took on the appearance of a woodland spirit. Dezsö selected this piece due to its exploration of the fluid connection between mythical reality and familiar life.

Additional Media

detail of side

top/inside

inside

bottom

side with handle

side

opposite side

detail of side

detail of opposite side

3D Model
This model is based on an object in the Bowdoin College Museum of Art that is understood to be in the public domain. The BCMA releases the model for download under a CC-0 license, waiving copyright and related rights and dedicating this model to the public domain.

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