Greek Phiale with Bulls

$979.38

A bronze phiale with a broad rim. Its repoussé panel has a central dome and six facing bucranium (ox skull) motifs with interstitial torch designs.

Extremely rare.

Date: 5th - 3rd Century BC
Provenance: Property of a London gentleman; formerly in a private German collection, acquired before 1995.
Condition: Fine condition. Bottom section curled inwards but stable. Please refer to images. Hairline cracks to the reverse.

SOLD

SKU: FP-0019 Category: Tags: , , ,

A phiale would have been used by the Greeks as a part of the libation process – the pouring of wine as an offering to the gods. The wine would usually be diluted with water (the standard practice was five or six measures of water to one of wine), which would be poured from an oinochoe into a phiale. The phiale would be held in the worshipper’s right hand while he prayed, and then its contents would be poured onto the altar to the gods. The remainder of the wine in the oinochoe would then be drunk by the celebrants.

Bucranium – the motif of ox heads – was very common in classical art. It was used to adorn buildings, most commonly to fill the gap between metopes along the friezes of Doric temples. This association with religious architecture, and the fact that oxen were one of the most luxurious sacrifices available, reflects the owner’s wish to emphasise further the piety inherent in the object itself.

 

Weight 81.3 g
Dimensions H 14 cm
Culture

Region

Metal

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