Monday, 21 March 2016

Four vessels ~ not for sail ~

Can you identify their dates and cultures of origin and state their purposes?
1a.

1b.

2.

3.

4.

A Fuzzy Hellenistic bronze cupping pot of the 3rd century BC

7 comments:

  1. 1/1b Appears to be bronze, possibly Greek/ luristan. vessel for heating beverage. Probably circa 1,000/1,500 B.C.

    2. Seen this shape before, but can't remember where. Possibly small cuspidor (?) or small Greek door knob.

    (3) Rather similar to previous one. Possibly a little earlier.

    (4) Bronze storage jar, Roman. Circa 500 to 800 B.c.

    Objects of this sort are notoriously difficult to judge, without some suggestion as to size.

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    Replies
    1. 1. You're in the right general area Mike, but a bit early.
      2. Egyptian & Greek cultures were quite close technically & medically but this one came from Egypt and wasn't a door-knob.
      3. Roman and later but for the same purpose; note that the Romans had dropped the use of the rim which is ergonomically important for a cupping vessel, giving a better seal to the skin when applied.
      4. Greek I'm afraid Mike and a bit later and I take your point about size which was not supplied with the images.

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  2. I would say last one is a Greek Urn. Ça 100BC joke.

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    Replies
    1. I'll allow that one Rog, you've urned it.

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  3. First one is Elamite Bronze Beaker - approx 8C BC
    Old enough for Mike to class it as an antique I would suggest ;-)

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    Replies
    1. Your right Rog, I love the subtle curves of this Elamite piece but Solomon sang of his preference for a Shulamite.

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  4. I'm no expert but they were catalogued thus:-
    1a &1b Elamite bronze beaker 800-600BC
    2. bronze cupping vessel, Egypt 300BC - 300AD
    3. bronze Roman cupping vessel 1st century AD
    4. bronze cupping cup, ancient Greece 400-100BC

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