WESTERN ASIATIC ACHAEMENID FIGURAL PHIALE MESOMPHALOS 5th-3rd century BC A shallow bronze dish with convex central panel and thickened rim, radiating incised lotus petals within a double border of punched guilloche, frieze of sphinxes and a palmette to the outer edge. 202 grams, 15cm (6"). Very fine condition. Provenance From the collection of a North West London gentleman; acquired in the 1980s. Footnotes This style of dish was extremely popular in the Achaemenid empire where they were used at banquets, as well as for the pouring of libations at religious occasions.Their use spread to the Greek colonies in the East as well as to the mainland Greek city states and the kingdom of Macedonia. It was customary for the Achaemenid king to present bowls, such as these, as gifts to high ranking courtiers, or visiting dignitaries. On the southern staircase of the palace of Darius at Persepolis, mesampholos phiale are shown being carried by priests as part of a purification ceremony for the royal personage. The sphinxes depicted on this bowl are typical of the type decorating objects from Phoenicia and it is possible that the bowl was of provincial workmanship for use in a temple, or by a high ranking family at banquets.
WESTERN ASIATIC ACHAEMENID FIGURAL PHIALE MESOMPHALOS 5th-3rd century BC A shallow bronze dish with convex central panel and thickened rim, radiating incised lotus petals within a double border of punched guilloche, frieze of sphinxes and a palmette to the outer edge. 202 grams, 15cm (6"). Very fine condition. Provenance From the collection of a North West London gentleman; acquired in the 1980s. Footnotes This style of dish was extremely popular in the Achaemenid empire where they were used at banquets, as well as for the pouring of libations at religious occasions.Their use spread to the Greek colonies in the East as well as to the mainland Greek city states and the kingdom of Macedonia. It was customary for the Achaemenid king to present bowls, such as these, as gifts to high ranking courtiers, or visiting dignitaries. On the southern staircase of the palace of Darius at Persepolis, mesampholos phiale are shown being carried by priests as part of a purification ceremony for the royal personage. The sphinxes depicted on this bowl are typical of the type decorating objects from Phoenicia and it is possible that the bowl was of provincial workmanship for use in a temple, or by a high ranking family at banquets.
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