A Corinthian black-figure kylix

first-half 6th century BCE

Depicting Theseus slaying the Minotaur.

H: 6 1/4, Dia: 5 1/4 in.(H: 15.88, Dia: 13.34 cm.)

Estate of Jud Samon, retired coordinator of International Faculty and Student Services at the University of Maryland at College Park.

Some surface loss to exterior decoration and underside of cup; showing no visible restoration or repair. Interior bottom of cup missing fired and, probably decorated, surface.

Dating to the first half of the 6th century BCE, this Corinthian kylix is of unusual form. While it is similar in shape to a kantharos, it lacks the normal handle of which this piece was never adorned with: the black-figure images decorate the cup in a continuous design with no place for handles to be fitted. Images depict Theseus, wearing a red chitoniskos and panther skin, slaying the red maned Minotaur while other figures observe. Figures are finely detailed and the horses legs are elegant in their delicacy.

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