Cylix of Apollo
The Cylix of Apollo is a kylix, or shallow drinking bowl, made in an Attic workshop around 460 BCE. It has an unusual depiction of the god Apollo done in the white-ground red-figure technique and is one of the few pieces of pottery on display at the Delphi Archaeological Museum.[1] It was found in a grave near the museum, believed to be that of a priest.[2]
Description
Inside the cylix Apollo is depicted with an elaborate hairdo and a laurel wreath on his head, sitting on a chair, the legs of which end in lion's paws. The god wears a white chiton, a red cloak (himation) and sandals. A seven-stringed lyre is attached to his left hand with a red strap, whereas with his right hand he pours a libation out of a shallow bowl (patera) decorated with patterns in relief. Opposite the god is a black bird, for which several explanations have been offered: it is identified either as an oracular bird or as a crow which brought to Apollo the message that his beloved Koronis, daughter of king Phlegyas, was getting married.[1]
Its creator remains uncertain. It has been tentatively identified as by Euphronios or one of his followers; other scholars have suggested it resembles the work of the Pistoxenos Painter.[3][2]
References
- ^ a b "The Kylix of Apollo". DelphiMuseum. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
- ^ a b Mertens, Joan R. (January 1974). "Attic White-Ground Cups: A Special Class of Vases". Metropolitan Museum Journal. 9: 91–108. doi:10.2307/1512657. ISSN 0077-8958.
- ^ "5522, ATHENIAN, Delphi, Archaeological Museum, 8140". www.carc.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
Bibliography
- Kolonia, R., 2006, The archaeological museum of Delphi, Athens
- Amandry, P., Chamoux, P., 1991, Guide de Delphes: Le musée, pp. 231–233
External links
Media related to Apollo black bird AM Delphi 8140 at Wikimedia Commons
- Attic white-ground kylix Delphi Archaeological Museum, retrieved February 10, 2016.
- www.e-delphi.gr Archived 2018-09-24 at the Wayback Machine The kylix of Apollo