Description:

Greece, Attic, ca. 6th to 5th century BCE. A stunning, full silver mastos (also called a parabolic cup), with the characteristic breast-like shape that distinguishes this cup style from the skyphos. The mastoid cup shape began appearing in Athens in the 6th century BCE, but its origins are from cups of similar form found earlier in the ancient Near East. These were made to be held with the fingertips while the drinker reclined on a couch at a symposium. Hold this beautiful piece in your hand to feel its weight and imagine it full of wine (of course, diluted with water, in the ancient Greek style). (392.5 g). Size: 5.9" W x 2.7" H (15 cm x 6.9 cm)

To the ancient Athenians, silver was an incredibly precious metal - the power of Athens was founded on silver mines from the Laurion district, approximately forty miles (sixty-five km) south of the city in a hilly area overlooking the Aegean Sea. Increased production at the mines after ca. 545 BCE financed the rise of classical Athens as a naval and trading force in the Mediterranean world. This silver cup would have belonged to an elite man who used it to show off his wealth while socializing with other elite men.

Provenance: Ex-private New Jersey collection acquired over 20 years ago

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#121220

  • Condition: Slight tarnish on surface. Shape is excellent.

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April 12, 2017 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
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