A GREEK PARCEL GILT SILVER CUP

HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C.

Details

A GREEK PARCEL GILT SILVER CUP
HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C.
The conical body divided from the tall flaring rim by a raised rounded band, the body tapering to the narrow stem, on a disk foot, the band framed by incised and gilt wave pattern in opposite directions, the rim ornamented with a broad band of four pair of winged horned lion-griffins arranged heraldically on either side of a foliate motif, the monster with its head turned back, each mouth open, the tongue lolling, two of the foliate motifs topped with a spread-winged bird
5¼ in. (13.3 cm.) high

Provenance

Art Market, London, 1991.
Acquired by the current owner, London, 1997.

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Lot Essay

For the shape compare the cup in the J. Paul Getty Museum, which is wider at the lip and not embellished with incised details, no. 80 in M. Pfrommer, Metalwork from the Hellenized East. The bands of wave pattern, often gilt, as seen on the cup presented here, are common on silver vessels, particularly bowls, from the eastern fringes of the Hellenistic world (see for example no. 14 in Pfrommer, op. cit.). For pairs of seated griffins of similar style on a gilt silver bowl see no. 32 in R. Masov, et al., Treasures of Ancient Bactria.

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