Collection Item – Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

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From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitleSkyphos

About this objectA drinking skyphos decorated in red-figure style on both sides with an owl, facing right, between two olive branches.

The cup features thin pottery walls with twin handles extending outwards on opposing sides. The deep, round body narrows to a small round foot.

This skyphos would have been used for drinking wine. This type of drinking cup with two handles near the rim is also known as a glaux, the Greek word for owl, because of its decoration. Both the owl and the olive are closely associated with the goddess Athena.

The olive branch appears in the myths about early Athens. Athena won a contest with the god Poseidon about who could provide the best gift to the city. Poseidon brought a spring of salt water to the Acropolis, but Athena brought civilisation by gifting to the city what became its staple crop, the olive.

MakerUnattributed

Maker Rolen/a

Date Madeca. 450-425 BC

PeriodClassical

Place MadeGreece; Athens

Medium and MaterialsCeramic: Pottery

Style and IconographyRed-figure

Style and IconographyAttic

Style and IconographyAnimal art

Inscription and MarksD25/40

TechniqueSlip trailing (relief line)

TechniqueThrowing (pottery technique)

MeasurementsHeight 84mm; Diameter 156mm inc handles, 100mm ex handles.

Subject and Association KeywordsAnimals in art

Subject and Association KeywordsBirds in art

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

Credit LineFrom the collection of John and Rosie Wood, 2025

Object TypeDrinking Vessels

Object number232.25