Lot 8A
Greek, Hellenistic, ca. 3rd to 2nd entury BCE. A breathtaking gilded silver rhyton with high relief motifs executed in repousse; from top to bottom the elaborate decorative program is as follows: a wide register of repeated rows of diamond-shaped forms, each one segmented into quadrants, the central section decorated with leafy grape vines tied together at the top in a bow form with a juicy cluster of grapes at the lower end, beneath this a row of vertical pointing palmettes, the angled front section incised with criss-crossed and linear striations, culminating in a near spherical, perhaps fruit-like form given its sectioned surface, inlaid at the end with a beautiful round piece of cobalt blue glass. Custom stand. Size: 2.625" in diameter x 8.25" H (6.7 cm x 21 cm); 9.25" H (23.5 cm) on stand
Rhytons are among the most coveted pieces of silver that remain from the Classical world. This gilt silver rhyton, with its extensive fruit-of-the-vine iconography and lovely cobalt blue glass decoration, is an exceptional example of art of the Hellenistic period, indicative of the ancients' refined taste for luxury tableware, probably used both as a drinking cup and a pouring vessel to decant wine into drinking bowls during festive banquets.
A similar example created by the Romans sold at Christie's, New York (11 June 2003, Lot 191) for $141,900. See http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/a-roman-gilt-silver-rhyton-circa-1st-4108243-details.aspx. Vessels of this level of artistry and technique are rarely available as most are highlights in elite private and museum collections like the British Museum, the Getty, and the Louvre.
Provenance: Ex-private collection of Richard Wagner, Cape Cod, MA acquired in the 1960s.
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#121068
- Condition: A few minor repairs, rim reattached, and expected surface wear, though much gilding remains.
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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 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |