Museum complex

Goblet

III–IV Centuries AD
Late Roman period
Silver; casting, engraving
8,5 х 10 х 10 cm
Showcase 4

Silver goblet on a stand with four oval medallions depicting characters of the cult of Dionysus and plant motifs. In two opposite medallions are half-naked dancers with a scarf, ends of which extend beyond the frame of the medallion; yet in another is a dancing winged Satyr playing panpipes; in the fourth is a dancing Eros playing a flute. Between the medallions are depicted trees with strong, thick trunks, branches of which end in very conditionally depicted large pine cones. This detail also refers to the cult of Dionysus, whose baton – thyrsus - was decorated at the top with a pine cone.

More information...

The Dionysian cult was spread in the East since the beginning of Hellenistic era (after campaigns of Alexander the Great) and like many other elements of antique culture, existed in the East for a long time. Judging by the style of images, details of plant ornaments, manufacturing techniques, the goblet dates back to the III-IV Centuries AD. Presumably, the place of its manufacture is Sasanian Iran or regions of Central Asia that were under influence of Hellenistic culture.
Functional purpose: ceremonial tableware, luxury item.
Notice of uniqueness: an artifact of so-called "Eastern" or "Sasanian" silver, which was delivered into areas of the Urals, the Kama region and the Perm region for a long time: since late Roman era until Early Middle Ages. It could have been a gift from the Byzantine Court for service in confrontation with Iran; a ransom upon results of military conflicts; or a family treasure of the Kama nobility.

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