Object Information

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Accession Number: 
2015.260.3!
Object Title: 
Gilt silver phiale mesomphalos
Measurements: 
Diameter: 8 in. (20.3 cm) Height: 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm)
Creation Date: 
late 5th century B.C.
Credit Line: 
Gift of Mary and Michael Jaharis in honor of Director Thomas P. Campbell, 2015
Culture: 
Object Type: 
Materials / Techniques: 
Provenance Information: 
[By 2001, with Ariadne Galleries, New York and London]; 2001, purchased by Mary and Michael Jaharis from Ariadne Galleries, New York; 2001-2015, collection of Mary and Michael Jaharis, New York; acquired in 2015, gift of Mary and Michael Jaharis in honor of Thomas P. Campbell.
Exhibition Information: 
This work was exhibited while on loan at the Metropolitan Museum beginning in June 2014.
Publication Information: 
None.
Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970: 
Cumulative facts and circumstances
Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above: 
Silver plate was used throughout the ancient Greek world in the Classical period, although very little survives. Even rarer are the so-called “gold-figure” vessels, which have been predominantly found on the north-eastern fringes of the Hellenized world in ancient Thrace and the ancient Bosporan kingdom. 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.