Silver Balkans Bowl

Repoussed & Chased Silver Wine Bowl

This finely repoussed and chased silver wine bowl is decorated with a central scene of Heracles killing the centaur Nessus. The interior sides are repoussed with eight roundels in-filled in medium-high relief with lions heads and various birds. The quality of the silverwork on these is particularly striking.

The bowl is related to the body of silver wine bowls produced in the Balkans whilst part of the Ottoman empire. The styling and obvious Greek influence shown in this bowl suggests it has come from either the Balkans or Cyprus.

Heracles was a divine hero in Greek mythology, the son of Zeus and Alcmene. The greatest of the Greek heroes, and the personification of masculinity, he was a champion of the Olympian order against the

chthonic monsters.

Whilst travelling to Tiryns, Herecles and his new wife Deianira came across a fast-flowing river. Nessus, a centaur, offered to help Deianira across it whilst Heracles swam across. However, Nessus tried to steal Deianira away while Heracles was still in the water. Angry, Heracles shot him with arrows dipped in the poisonous blood of the Lernaean Hydra. Thinking of revenge as he is about to die, Nessus gave Deianira his blood-soaked tunic and told her that it will excite her husband’s love. Later, Heracles wears the cloak and dies.

The bowl is in fine condition.

Provenance:

private collection, London; previously acquired from the dealer-collector John Hewitt