Restituted in January 2006 This work of art has been removed from the Museum's permanent collection. Learn more about The Met's collecting practices.
Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
A group of 16 silver vases and utensils
Greek, South Italian or Sicilian
Not on view
The group of sixteen silver objects represents some of the finest silver known from Magna Graecia. The Metropolitan Museum of Art purchased the works in 1981, 1982, and 1984. Their provenance became the subject of intensive investigation, and the silver was linked to a Hellenistic house in Morgantina, Sicily, called the "House of Eupolemos" after a name inscribed on two vessels. The structure was looted in modern times, and the Museo Regionale di Aidone now calls this group of objects "Silver from the House of Eupolemos." Although the archaeological provenance of the silver is lost, circumstantial evidence favors its association with the region of Morgantina. The Metropolitan Museum transferred title of the works to Italy in 2006 and embarked on a historic collaboration with Italy that includes the periodic return of the silver for display at the Metropolitan as well as the exchange of other major loans.
L.2015.2.1, Silver-gilt bowl. The ornamental bands within the bowl and portions of the emblema at the bottom of the bowl have gilding. In the middle of the emblema, a garnet. Punch-dotted inscriptions on two of the bowls indicate their weight.
L.2015.2.2, Silver-gilt bowl. The ornamental bands within the bowl and portions of the emblema at the bottom of the bowl have gilding. The floral decoration of the emblema has a garnet in the center.
L.2015.2.3, Silver-gilt bowl. The ornamental bands within the bowl and portions of the emblema at the bottom of the bowl have gilding. The emblema with scylla (1981.11.22) was originally soldered to the bottom of this bowl evidently over the floral emblema.
L.2015.2.4, Silver-gilt emblema (medallion) representing Scylla. Scylla, the Homeric sea monster who lived in a cave in a cliff off the Straits of Messina, is shown about to hurl a boulder she holds over her head. She is depicted in the characteristic way, with the upper body of a beautiful woman and three dogs springing from her hips amidst her scaly extremities.
L.2015.2.5, Silver-gilt pitcher. Below the handle, a theatrical mask. The ornamental band, handle and mask have gilding. On the underside of the base, a punch-dotted inscription with a monogram and an indication of weight.
L.2015.2.6, Silver-gilt hemispherical bowl. The bowl is covered with a polygonal network, and has an ivy wreath on opposite sides below the rim. These details like the rim have gilding. Hoard of silver vases and utensils.
L.2015.2.7, Silver-gilt skyphos (drinking cup). On the outer wall, an incised inscription. On the underside of the foot, two rectilinear dotted inscriptions.
L.2015.2.8, Silver kyathos (ladle). The handle ends in a deer's head. Punch-dotted inscriptions occur on both sides of the upper section of the handle.
L.2015.2.9, Silver-gilt situla. The supports are in the form of three theatrical masks and have gilding.
L.2015.2.10, Silver-gilt phiale (libation bowl). The convex star shaped motif and the surrounding ornament have gilding.
L.2015.2.11a–c, Silver-gilt pyxis (box) with lid. The relief on the lid depicts a goddess sitting on a rock with a child and a cornucopia resting on her lap. The pyxis itself was likely a container for incense used in conjunction with the small altar (L.2006.12.12a-d). On underside of base, inscriptions include "sacred to the gods," "of Eupolemos," and an indication of weight.
L.2015.2.12a–d, Silver-gilt arula (small portable altar). The top of the altar is removable, and inside is a shallow basin with loop handles. On the base, a series of inscriptions includes "sacred to the gods," "of Eupolemos," and an indication of weight.
L.2015.2.13a, b, Pair of silver horns. These horns may have been attached to a helmet of bronze or leather.
L.2015.2.14, Silver-gilt pyxis (box) with lid. The relief on the lid is rich in symbolic content. Eros crowns himself with a fillet while leaning on an inverted flaming torch, a motif that on Roman sarcophagi came to signify death. The subject of the relief could be interpreted as the triumph over death, or the promise of a happy afterlife.
L.2015.2.15, Silver-gilt bucket. Three theatrical masks decorate the exterior of each bucket and also serve as feet for the vessels.
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