Reproduction of the gold cups from Vapheio

Stamped by E. Gilliéron 

Period:
Late Helladic I
Date:
ca. 1600-1450 B.C.
Culture:
Mycenaean
Medium:
gold electrotype
Dimensions:
Other: 2 7/8 x 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 in. (7.3 x 13.7 x 10.5 cm)
Credit Line:
Dodge Fund, 1906
Accession Number:
06.202
  • Description

    Excavated 1889 in a Late Helladic II tholos tomb at Vapheio near Sparta, Greece.

    The famous Vapheio cups were reproduced by E. Gillieron, pere as early as 1896 and were among the first reproductions that he sold. Gillieron also made careful drawings of the scenes, which illustrate the capture of wild bulls. On one cup the bulls come quietly while on the other the bulls display ferocious animosity towards their captors.

    The originals are in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens.

  • References

    Archaiologike Hetaireia. 1889. Ephemeris archaiologike : ekdidomene hypo tes en Athenais Archaiologikes Hetairias. En Athenais : Hetairia, 159, pinax 9,2.

    Schuchhardt, K. 1891. Schliemann's Excavations: an Archaeological and Historical Study. London; New York: Macmillan and Co., 350-52.

    Richter, G.M.A. 1906. "Reproduction of Mycenaean Metal Work." The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin 1:123-24.

    Fowler, H.N., J.R. Wheeler, and G.A. Stevens. 1909. A Handbook of Greek Archaeology. New York; Cincinnati [etc.]: American Book Company, 80, fig. 40.

    Richter, G.M.A. 1927. Handbook of the Classical Collection. New York: The Gilliss Press, 23, fig. 13.

    Evans, A.J. 1930. Palace of Minos at Knossos. Vol. 3. London: Macmillan and Co., 177-89, figs. 123b, 126, 127, 130.

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