Double shell cup decorated with vine scroll and putti

Object Details

• Description

  Double shell cup decorated in repousse high relief with separate cast foot. The handles were also separatedly casted in the form of a thumbplate with two ring handles below. Surface slightly abraded.

• Label

  Two handled-drinking silver cups were popular throughout the ancient Mediterranean and Near eastern cultures between the 4th century BCE and the late Roman period. Often produced in pairs, they were particularly popular among wealthy Romans. The cups were decorated in a repousse high relief with the handles and feet cast separately.

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  Feast Your Eyes: A Taste for Luxury in Ancient Iran (February 4, 2012 - ongoing)

  Luxury Arts of the Silk Route Empires (May 9, 1993 to January 28, 2007)

• Origin

  Syria

• Credit Line

  Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

• Type

  Vessel

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  100s

• Topic

  Repoussé, Silver, Art, Sculpture, Ancient Near Eastern Art, Chasing, Roman Period (30 BCE - 395 CE), Metal-work

• Culture

  Middle Easterners, Syrians

• Object Type

  Vessels (containers)