BRONZE CHALICE WITH ANIMAL HEADS

Western Asia, ca. 1st millennium BC
A bronze chalice with a round-bottomed cup and a splayed foot. The piece is both sturdy and graceful. The perimeter of the cup is adorned with four bovine heads, each possessing a unique charm with their simplified yet expressive features and short horns. This cup could have been used as a drinking vessel for wine or other luxurious liquids, given its ornate design. It is also possible that the cup had a ceremonial function in religious or cultural rituals. Good condition, repaired.
Size: L:130mm / W:150mm ; 295g
Provenance: From the collection of a London gentleman; formerly acquired in early 2000s in France; previously in 1970s European collection.
Estimate: GBP 400 - 600