Description:

Near East / Persia, Achaemenid period, ca. 6th to 4th century BCE. A shallow cast bronze bowl, perhaps once gilded, with a smooth, flaring rim, and several deep, teardrop-shaped indentations around a raised disc in the center. This example has a beautiful patina with hints of what may be gilding, especially inside the deep teardrops. Size: 6.5" W x 1.2" H (16.5 cm x 3 cm)

Libation bowls, known as phiale, were used across a wide geographical area - from Greece to Tibet, throughout the ancient Near East and Central Asia. These shallow bowls for holding wine in ritual and ceremonial settings were made from many materials - glass, ceramic, and many kinds of metal. Royal vessels were made of precious metals, and the possible gilding on this one is an indication of the high status of its owner. Phiale functioned both as tableware and as wealth - they could be stored in the royal treasury or given as gifts to people their owners were hoping to influence.

Provenance: private R. D. collection, Long Beach, California, USA collection, acquired over 25 years from various major galleries

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#125799

  • Condition: A few small areas of encrustation. Gorgeous deep turquoise patina.

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August 25, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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