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Silver-gilt cup (one of a pair)

4th–3rd century BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 162
The cups are decorated on the interior with an outer band of gilding engraved with ivy leaves and tendrils and, within a star pattern, a central medallion depicting Dionysos, the god of wine, with his customary attribute, an ivy-tipped thyrsos (staff). Such decoration is highly appropriate for a pair of drinking cups. Unusually, their bowls were hammered from thin sheets of silver rather than cast, making them lightweight and easy to use.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Silver-gilt cup (one of a pair)
  • Period: Late Classical or Hellenistic
  • Date: 4th–3rd century BCE
  • Culture: Greek, South Italian
  • Medium: Silver, gold
  • Dimensions: H. 2 1/2 in. (6.3 cm); diameter 6 1/8 in. (15.5 cm); length including handles 9 5/8 in. (24.5 cm)
  • Classification: Gold and Silver
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Patti Cadby Birch Gift, 1993
  • Object Number: 1993.367.1
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
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
Bell, Leaded bronze, Greek
Bell
Greek
3rd or 4th century BCE (?)
Standing Cup and Cover Supported by an Enchained Turk, Jade (nephrite), aragonite, chalcedony, banded agate, gold, silver gilt, diamonds, rubies, garnets, enamel, and paint., German, perhaps Frankfurt-am-Main
Standing Cup and Cover Supported by an Enchained Turk
German, perhaps Frankfurt-am-Main
ca. 1705–11
Marble sarcophagus with the Triumph of Dionysos and the Seasons, Marble, Roman
Marble sarcophagus with the Triumph of Dionysos and the Seasons
Roman
ca. 260–270 CE
Cauldron attachment: bull's head, Bronze
Cauldron attachment: bull's head
ca. 7th century BCE

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