Roman Silver Bowl with Richly Ornamented Handles

Roman · 1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.

Material

Silver

Dimensions

W: 27.5 cm (10.8 in)

H: 5 cm (2 in)

Reference

15860

Price

POR

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Overview

This beautifully crafted silver bowl is a tribute to Roman republican craftsmanship in the sensitivity and
precision of the ornaments’ details. The shallow bowl was lathe-turned on a disk-foot, while the underside is centered by a dotted ring; the rim slightly splayed and finished with a beaded edge and a band of
kymation decoration. The bowl has two separately cast and slightly up-turned crescent handles with some
openwork. It is further decorated by acanthus-scroll and foliate ornament in relief, and a duck head at each
end. The underside is crafted with wishbone supports, each with a leaf-shaped terminal.

Condition

This bowl is intact and in an exceptional state of conservation with a pristine surface, partially due to the
thickness and quality of the silver used.

Provenance

Art market, prior to 1950s;

Ex-Dutch private collection, ca. 1950s.

Published

Phoenix Ancient Art Crystal 8

Phoenix Ancient Art Catolog no.1 2006

 

Exhibited

Crystal 8 Display 2018

Palm Beach 2006

Bibliography

HILL D.K., Greek and Roman Metalware, Baltimore, 1976, n. 74.
WARD-PERKINS J.-CLARIDGE A., Pompeii AD 79, Boston 1978, n. 313-314.
On Roman silver vessels:
PIRZIO BIROLI STEFANELLI L., L’argento des Romani, Vasellame da tavola e d’apparato, Roma, 1991.