Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;4to2centBC, post: 2368195, member: 76181&quot;]Every once in awhile I stumble across something extraordinary at the Met.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here is one of those extraordinary items. I recommend going to the site since you can zoom in on hi-def pix.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/243823" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/243823" rel="nofollow">http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/243823</a></p><p><br /></p><p><font size="6"><b>Silver-gilt bowl</b></font></p><p>Period:</p><p>Archaic</p><p>Date:</p><p>ca. 725–675 B.C.</p><p>Culture:</p><p>Cypriot</p><p>Medium:</p><p>Gilt silver</p><p>Dimensions:</p><p>H. 1 1/4 in. (3.1 cm) diameter 6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm)</p><p>Classification:</p><p>Gold and Silver</p><p>Credit Line:</p><p>The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76</p><p>Accession Number:</p><p>74.51.4554</p><p>On view in Gallery 174</p><p>The central tondo shows a winged deity of Assyrian type felling a rampant lion with a sword. The surrounding frieze presents a variety of animal and narrative motifs, including two specifically Egyptian subjects: a sphinx wearing the Egyptian double crown and a lion treading over a dead man, symbolizing the pharaoh dominating his enemies. The broad outer band features a variety of combats. Of greatest importance, however, are two inscriptions. At the top, above an Assyrianizing figure killing a lion, a Cypriot syllabic inscription reads, &quot;I am [the bowl] of Akestor, king of Paphos.&quot; It was partly obliterated and replaced by &quot;I am [the bowl] of Timokretes,&quot; presumably the next owner. The bowl is exceptionally significant for its excellent condition, high quality, and amalgam of Egyptian, Assyrian, and Phoenician features.</p><p>Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings</p><p><b>Inscription:</b> [inside the bowl] &quot;I am [the bowl] of Akestor, king of Paphos&quot;; [within the medallion] &quot;I am [the bowl] of Timokretes.&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p>Provenance</p><p>Said to be from Kourion, Cyprus (Cesnola 1877, p. 329).</p><p><br /></p><p>Until 1874, Cesnola Collection, excavated by General Cesnola in Kourion, Cyprus; acquired 1874, purchased from General Luigi Palma di Cesnola.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]483912[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]483926[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in