Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 3rd century CE. A very special silver bowl - the silver nearly pure at 98% - of a rounded form with a flanged upper border and a circular medalion presenting the bust of Helios in relief with nice traces of gilt further adorning the radiate headdress and garment. Interestingly, this depiction of Helios is rather feminized. Size: 5.25" in diameter x 3" H (13.3 cm x 7.6 cm); weight: 217.3 grams
The Roman god Sol (Greek Helios) was believed to ride a golden chariot that carried the sun across the skies every day from East to West. In addition to appearing on beautiful painted vases riding his golden chariot in the background of imagery narrating the Hercules (Herakles) story, gracing the faces of coins of Rhodes - his patron city, as well as the east pediment of the Parthenon where he emerges from the ocean in his chariot, Helios is perhaps most famously the subject of the Colossus of Rhodes, a monumental bronze statue regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-William Froelich collection, New York, USA, collected in the 1970s
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#146607
Condition
Normal surface wear commensurate with age. Some fading to the gilding but much remains. Slight indentations to areas of the body and the rim's edge, but overall the form is very strong.