Ca. 450 BC. A black glazed cup with a well-proportioned, bulbous body, gradually tapers to a base, while the short neck flares out into an everted rim, creating a pleasing aesthetic balance. The whole vessel is adorned with a rich, glossy black glaze, creating a striking visual impact. A short vertical handle connects the shoulder with the mouth, allowing for a comfortable grip. As a testament to the functional versatility of Attic pottery, this cup could have served various purposes. It could have been used as a drinking cup for wine or water, or as a ladle for serving soups or stews. Its size and shape would also have made it an ideal measuring tool for dry or liquid ingredients. Attic pottery was highly regarded throughout the ancient world for its exceptional quality and craftsmanship. The Attic region, where Athens was located, was a major center of ceramic production in ancient Greece, and Attic pottery was exported widely throughout the Mediterranean. Attic black-glazed pottery, in particular, was highly prized for its glossy finish and durability, and was often used in important ceremonial and funerary contexts. For a similar, see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Accession Number: 41.162.244.Size: L:80mm / W:95mm ; 120gProvenance: Private London collection, B.A.; formerly in pre-2000 European collection.