Collection Item – Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

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Eye Cup; Attributed to the Logie Painter; ca. 525-520 BC; 56.58

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitleEye Cup

About this objectAn Attic kylix or wine cup, known as an eye-cup. The cup illustrates different techniques in Greek vase painting: the male head is in black-figure technique and the female head is in outline.

This Athenian drinking cup is transformed into a mask when it is bought to the lips of the drinker: an illustration of the transformative powers of Dionysus and his role as god of theatre and impersonation. The cup would have been used during a symposium, when the opening prayer – and drink – would have been dedicated to Dionysus.

The English classicist and archaeologist John Beazley conferred the name ‘the Logie Painter’ on the artist who decorated this object in the Logie Collection: a ‘name piece’ such as this is the first attributable example linked to a specific artisan.

MakerAttributed to the Logie Painter

Maker RoleArtist

Date Madeca. 525-520 BC

Place MadeGreece

Medium and MaterialsCeramic; Pottery

Style and IconographyBlack-figure

Style and IconographyAttic

TechniqueThrowing (pottery technique)

TechniqueGlazing (coating process)

MeasurementsHeight 11.2cm; Diameter 26.3cm

Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Credit LineDonated by M.K. Steven, 1958

Object TypeDrinking Vessels

Object number56.58