Important Silver Plate with Heracles Medallion

Culture: Roman

Period: Early 4th century A.D.

Material: Silver, gilt

Dimensions: 24.4 cm in diameter; 580 grams

Price: 68 000 Euro

Ref: 3725

Provenance: Austrian private collection Dr. Monika Pitzlberger, acquired in the 1960s. In 2022 bestowed to the collection D. D., Lower Austria. With a copy of the donation agreement and the confirmation of the provenance. Thence with Herman Historica on 14 May 2024, lot 39.

Condition: On the rim and on the foot ring two small areas are minorly distorted, otherwise intact and of outstanding quality.

Description: Magnificent silver plate dating to the late Roman period with the bust of Heracles to the right, surrounded by a gilded decorative band (“kymation”). The plate stands on a set off foot ring and has a convex wall. The rim overhanging and folded outwards. Precisely in the fold, beads about six millimeters wide were pressed upwards from the bottom at equal distances, giving the plate its distinctive “egg-dart rim.” In the tondo of the plate the exceedingly finely worked out profile of Heracles facing to the right. The hero with short, thick hair and curly full beard has a strong neck with two folds in the nape. Below the protruding forehead deeply set eyes with a vigilant gaze. Heracles has a nose with a small hump and large ears. The gilded lion fur is wrapped around his neck and tied with the hanging paws in the front. Behind the strong back rises the club, also gilded and decorated in cold work. The diligently modelled profile of Heracles is framed by a gilded decorative band in the form of a calyx. The excellently worked out silverware dates to the period of Constantine the Great and testifies to the artistic blacksmithing of this era.