The Cup of the Ptolemies.This agate cup was carved in Alexandria in Egypt around the first centuries
The Cup of the Ptolemies.This agate cup was carved in Alexandria in Egypt around the first centuries BCE to CE. Its journey from there to France is lost in obscurity, though it was held in the treasury of the abbey of St Denis in Paris until the dispersion of monastic treasures during the revolution. It originally had gem studded gold mountings dating from the era of Charles the bald (died 877CE), but they vanished when it was stolen and recovered in 1804. It is not kept at the Cabinet des Medailles in the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris.It is a famous masterpiece of Hellenistic stone carving, with pictures depicting preparations for a pagan Dionysiac revel. It was used in French coronation rituals, along with several other items from the abbey treasury.LozHeight 8.4, width 18.4cm.Image credit: Clio20/Wikimedia Commons -- source link
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