Hellenistic Gilt Silver Mastos. 2nd-1st century B.C. A conical silver mastos drinking cup of substantial size, breast-like in shape, interior ornamented with two plain gilded bands. Cf. Kiely, T., Perna, M., ‘Four Unpublished Inscriptions in Cypriot Syllabic Script in the British Museum’ in Kadmos, 2010, pp.93-116, fig.1, for a comparable silver mastos cup from Kourion. 172 grams, 13.8 cm wide (5 3/8 in.) Acquired between 1980-1990. Property of a London gentleman. Mastoi were mainly for drinking wine. Silver tableware, it is thought, became more widespread during the Hellenistic period. The mastos was the most common and widespread shape associated with this new and more varied repertoire to which medallion bowls, a shape also attested in ceramic and a variant of the cup with interior decoration, also belonged. With regards to dating, such silver vessels are already attested in the Early Hellenistic period, although most of the preserved examples date primarily to the Late Hellenistic age.

Fine condition.