Attic cup
- Maker: Attributed to Douris
- Culture: Attic
- Made in: Attica (Greece)
- Date: 480BC-470BC
- Object type: cup
- Materials: pottery
- Museum number: 1843,1103.94
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
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About this object
Before you is an Attic red-figured cup attributed to the famous artist Douris. Created in the mid-5th century BC in ancient Greece, this beautifully painted vessel shows a variety of figures engaged in scenes of conversation. Looking closely at the interior, you’ll see a graceful woman dressed in a chiton and himation, with a decorated headscarf, delicately smelling a large rosebud. Around her are detailed patterns, including floral and geometric motifs in the border.
On the exterior, scenes of bearded men, youths, and women appear to be in discussion, with purses and gestures that may indicate negotiation — possibly a social or commercial exchange. The intricate decoration, including the use of added red and relief lines, reflects advanced Greek pottery techniques from the period. This work offers not only aesthetic charm but also a glimpse into the customs and everyday interactions of the time.
See it in person
Attic cup is on display at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and take a photo of it to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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