Lot 50
Roman, Republic Period to early Imperial Period, ca. 2nd century BCE to 1st century CE. A shallow, heavy, 96% silver bowl, in the form of a mastos or mastoid, a drinking vessel shaped like a breast. This example is very simple, with a rounded base without a nipple, no handles, and a rim that is smooth on the exterior and rolled on the interior, forming a slight lip. Size: 8.25" W x 1.45" H (21 cm x 3.7 cm); 349.5 grams
The mastos form seems to be deliberately breast-shaped, based on archaeological findings suggesting ritual functions for these cups. Mastoid cups and ceramic votive representations of breasts have been found at sanctuaries to Diana and Hercules - two figures in classical religion associated with birth, nursing, and rearing children. Fascinatingly, some of these even have dedications made by wet nurses. Some scholars theorize that the drinking of breast milk from a vessel like this one by an elderly or deathly ill adult symbolized rebirth in the afterlife.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Frances Artuner collection, Belgium, collected in the 1960s
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#142812
- Condition: Slight bending to form with a few very minor dents, but in general in excellent condition, with light deposits on surface.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
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| $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 |