Gray Ware Ceramic Cup

Wheel-thrown cup made of gray ware ceramic; it features a flaring rim and a wide, flat strap handle (ansa a nastro) that rises above the rim.

The cup comes from the so-called Central House, a dwelling that may have belonged to an aristocratic family at Broglio di Trebisacce, a settlement founded around 1700 BC and inhabited until approximately the end of the 8th century BC. The building is also known as the House of the Drinker because, in addition to this cup, other vessels used for storing or consuming beverages—such as jars, amphorae, jugs, cups, and bowls—were found in its apse.

These containers can be attributed to at least four different drinking sets, produced in three distinct ceramic traditions. The sets were stored in a specific area of the hut, namely the apse, which was also the most protected space. The high quality and refinement of the tableware suggest that these ceramics were probably used for drinking prized beverages, such as wine, during gatherings and convivial occasions attended by the aristocratic families of the village.