ticketsMember | Make a donation

Gilt silver phiale mesomphalos

late 5th century BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 153
Very little Classical Greek silver plate survives today. The golden figural decoration on these examples calls to mind Athenian red-figure vases and scholars debate whether precious vessels like these were the inspiration for the painted vases. However, since most gold-figured silver vessels have been found in Macedonian and Thracian tombs on the northern fringes of the Hellenized world and are dated to the second half of fifth century B.C., much later than the advent of the red-figure style, it has also been suggested that the influence may go the other way.

On this beautifully preserved libation vessel, four youths hunt deer on horseback with spears. The artist makes clever use of the circular shape to show the hunters encircling their quarry.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Gilt silver phiale mesomphalos
  • Period: Classical period
  • Date: late 5th century BCE
  • Culture: Greek
  • Medium: Silver-gilt
  • Dimensions: Diameter: 8 in. (20.3 cm)
    Height: 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm)
    Other: 14.6oz. (413.95g)
  • Classification: Gold and Silver
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mary and Michael Jaharis, in honor of Thomas P. Campbell, 2015
  • Object Number: 2015.260.3
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Gold phiale (libation bowl), Gold, Greek
Gold phiale (libation bowl)
Greek
4th–3rd century BCE
Silver-gilt cup (one of a pair), Silver, gold, Greek, South Italian
Silver-gilt cup (one of a pair)
Greek, South Italian
4th–3rd century BCE
Gilt silver kylix, Silver-gilt, Greek
Gilt silver kylix
Greek
late 5th century BCE
Gilt silver kylix, Silver-gilt, Greek
Gilt silver kylix
Greek
late fifth century BCE
Gilded silver phiale (libation bowl), Gilded silver, Greek
Restituted
Gilded silver phiale (libation bowl)
Greek
6th century BCE

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.