Lot 151, Auction 4/20/2026: Roman Imperial Silver Cup with Twin Handles

$2,925.00

In stock

Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 4th century CE. A finely proportioned Roman silver cup, its softly flaring walls and paired handles giving it the confident stance of a vessel made to be lifted, admired, and used. Modest in scale yet rich in presence, the cup reflects the Roman talent for marrying functional design with understated elegance, allowing form and material to do the talking. The vessel is raised on a low, circular foot and expands gently toward the rim, creating a balanced silhouette that sits comfortably in the hand. Two opposed loop handles are attached just below the rim, each formed with subtle articulation and terminal knobs, suggesting both practical reinforcement and visual rhythm. The silver surface bears a mellow patina, with areas of wear, tonal variation, and soft abrasion that speak to long use and long survival rather than neglect. Size: 4.4″ L x 3.3″ W x 2.8″ H (11.2 cm x 8.4 cm x 7.1 cm); silver quality: 85.7%; weight: 95.3 grams

Such cups would have been used in domestic or social contexts, likely for wine or diluted beverages during meals or convivial gatherings. Silver vessels occupied a special place in Roman daily life, signaling status and refinement while remaining objects of use rather than mere display. Unlike heavily decorated luxury wares, this cup relies on proportion, balance, and the inherent beauty of worked silver, aligning it with a restrained aesthetic favored across much of the Imperial period.

The interior shows signs of age consistent with ancient metalwork, while the exterior retains its crisp outline, emphasizing the durability of Roman craftsmanship. The twin handles suggest ease of handling when filled, but also frame the cup visually, turning a utilitarian object into something quietly ceremonial. This silver cup offers a tangible link to Roman dining culture and the tactile pleasures of the ancient table, where even everyday objects were shaped with care, intention, and a lasting sense of order.

Condition: Expected weathering to surface with slight bending to handles, but, otherwise, intact and excellent with rich patina throughout.

Provenance: private London, United Kingdom collection; ex- private H. Smeets collection, Netherlands, acquired in the late 1980s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all purchases.

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