Lot 28
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Greece, Hellenistic Period, ca. late 2nd to 1st century BCE. A stunning bowl of a substantial size in the form of a mastos or mastoid, a drinking vessel shaped like a breast, shaped from near-pure (99%) silver with added bands of gold on the interior. The vessel is conical in form with a rounded base, gradually-expanding walls with a thin rim, a deep basin, and a band of machined lines around the interior lip. During the Hellenistic period, wealthy Greeks used silver as a marker of wealth more commonly than they had in the past. During the 5th century, a new silver source was discovered in the Laurium Hills in Attica, which was mined extensively soon thereafter. The profits from the mines enriched several Athenian families and created a greater pool of silver with which artisans could produce fine goods like this cup. Lucite display stand for photography purposes only. Size: 5.25" W x 3.25" H (13.3 cm x 8.3 cm)
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, like this one. They functioned both as tableware and as wealth; they could be stored in the royal treasury or given as gifts to people they were hoping to influence. XRF results show silver content at 99%, with gold bands approaching 44% purity. These results are consistent with similar examples of this time period.
Provenance: Private West Hollywood, California, USA collection; ex-Bonhams, May 20th, 1992, lot 380, previously acquired on the London art market in the 1980s
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#181968
- Condition: Almost invisibly professionally restored and repaired.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |