Laconian cup (Kylix)

Among the most significant objects exhibited in the Museum is the Laconian pottery, mainly imported during the 6th century B.C., whose presence bears witness to the close relationships between Taranto and the motherland Sparta. Among these is a cup, recognized to be of great artistic value, which presents a composition of dolphins along the inner rim and tunas arranged radially around a central rosette. The outside is decorated with backward-looking birds, having an elongated body and a long graceful neck. The details of the figures are painted directly or engraved on a clear-coloured slip.