Siana Cup (Black-Figure Kylix [Drinking Cup]): Horseman and Warriors

Description

Two kneeling warriors do battle in the tondo of this large drinking cup, red blood streaming from their wounded legs. Without labels or attributes, their identities remain uncertain—perhaps Eteokles and Polyneikes, the cursed sons of Oedipus. The exterior figures are anonymous, although many are accompanied by small dots probably meant to imitate letters (for identifying inscriptions). On one side, a warrior is greeted by a nude youth holding a garland, with a horseman, a flying eagle, and several men observing. On the other, a bearded man rides a rearing horse, flanked by six draped men. Waterbirds stand beneath the handles.

Provenance

Dr. Jacob Hirsch, New York, NY; Conde de Lagunillas, Havana, Cuba; Edgar A. Hahn, Cleveland, OH, gifted to the Cleveland Museum of Art (?-1965); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1965-)

Siana Cup (Black-Figure Kylix [Drinking Cup]): Horseman and Warriors

[]

575–550 BCE

Accession Number

1965.78

Medium

ceramic

Dimensions

Diameter: 26.8 cm (10 9/16 in.); Overall: 14.1 cm (5 9/16 in.)

Classification

Ceramic

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Edgar A. Hahn