CIRCA EARLY 1ST CENTURY A.D.

細節

A ROMAN PARCEL GILT SILVER SKYPHOS
CIRCA EARLY 1ST CENTURY A.D.
The deep bowl decorated in respoussé high relief with a gilded scrolling, fruiting grape vine, the thick stems intertwined, the broad leaves with finely detailed ribs, edges serrated, emanating from spiralling tendrils, some with bunches of grapes, with separately cast handles, the thumbplates with volute scrolls, ring handles below, on a ring foot, the underside with relief concentric circles and incised inscription, perhaps the owner's name
8¼ in. (21 cm.) max. diam.

來源

A. Rizzi collection, Switzerland, prior to 1939.

注意事項

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 20% on the buyer's premium.

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拍品專文

The two-handled drinking cup was a popular form throughout the Greek and Roman world from the 4th Century B.C.. Between the end of the Republic and the beginning of the Empire, the skyphos was very much in fashion with wealthy Romans and have been found all over the Roman Empire from Denmark to Egypt. Produced in pairs, with complicated repoussé decoration, they were the most prized possessions of their owners and served both for use and for show to display the wealth and importance of the household.

The decorated outer case was soldered to an inner lining. The rim, handles and foot were made separately. Foliate decoration was particularly popular, and the grapevine was a fitting subject for a wine cup. To acheive the almost free-standing decoration the silversmith would punch out the design until the surface was broken, draw out the exposed edges and then solder together with the original surface. For a full discussion on these cups cf. D. E. Strong, Greek and Roman Gold and Silver Plate, London, 1966, pp. 133-140.