Coral red is a slip first used by the great Athenian painter Exekias to intensify the background of some of his black-figured scenes. By the end of the sixth century it was used, as here, to brighten the decoration of various shapes of otherwise undecorated vessels, particularly drinking cups. Coral red vessels were widely exported from Athens, and many fragments have been recovered by Princeton’s excavations, suggesting that a large shipment was delivered to Marion around the year 500 B.C. The trick foot consists of a hollow torus rim into which a small ball of clay has been inserted that rolls around inside the foot as the cup is used.

From the excavations of Max Ohnefalsch-Richter in 1886; probably from Necropolis II, Tomb 214.
Inv. C 1032
Published:
P. Flourentzos, RDAC, 1992, 152, pl. XLVII no. 7