An East Greek Silver Phiale (Libation Bowl), Archaic Period, ca. 6th century BCE Writing This large Luristan bronze sword

This large Luristan bronze sword is an excellent example of the double bell-formed pommel style

The tubes are flanked by 14K gold beads and the whole composition strung as a necklace with modern natural pink/green chalcedony semi-precious beads

symbols of divine kingship and fertility

The overall pose is sensitive and relaxed

bearded figure flanked by two cobras

An East Greek Silver Phiale (Libation Bowl), Archaic Period, ca. 6th century BCE Writing This large Luristan bronze swordThis fine silver vessel is known as a phiale, an ancient Greek term for such broad, shallow bowls. Its origins lie in Achaemenid Persia, and this bowl demonstrates the interaction between Greek and Achaemenid forms well. Used for drinking or pouring libations, it has a carinated or ridged shoulder, a turned out rim, and a band of radiating petals on the underside. In the center of the bowl is a shallow raised boss that allowed the phiale to be held