A GREEK EARLY HELLENISTIC SILVER BOWL WITH OMPHALOS, 4TH CENTURY BC A GREEK EARLY HELLENISTIC SILVER BOWL WITH OMPHALOS, 4TH CENTURY BC A GREEK EARLY HELLENISTIC SILVER BOWL WITH OMPHALOS, 4TH CENTURY BC A GREEK EARLY HELLENISTIC SILVER BOWL WITH OMPHALOS, 4TH CENTURY BC

A GREEK EARLY HELLENISTIC SILVER BOWL WITH OMPHALOS, 4TH CENTURY BC

Reference: ART600859

A silver libation bowl used for holding wine, with a hollow, rounded, raised boss, known as an omphalos, in the center. The omphalos is thought to have symbolized the navel of the earth, the central point of power that all things revolved around. The bowl is bulbous on its lower two-thirds before abruptly flaring out to form a wide mouth. Attached delicately around the shoulder just below that flaring mouth is a band of vertical leaf or 'egg' motif repoused on a gilt band which is then soldered to the body.
Diameter: 14 cm.
Height: 7 cm.
Silver with gilded decoration. Hellenistic 4th. BC.

PROVENANCE
Private collection, Germany
ex Auction Gorny/Mosch, Munchen, Germany. Auction 283. Lot 164 Ex Collection K.V., Rhineland, since the 1970s.