Wash basin

The deep fluted basin, which was shaped from a single silver sheet decorated with curved grooves and beads on its rim, could have been used for washing the face, hands and feet. It could take some 6 litres of water. The grooves and flutes recall the shield of a seashell used by Aphrodite for making herself beautiful after her birth and after which this type of vessel was named concha in ancient times. The medallion of the basin is decorated with a repeat pattern comprising hexagonal ‘honeycomb cell’ motifs. The hexagons themselves are decorated mainly with plant and floral motifs, but various vessels, baskets full of fruit and birds can also be seen in them, which demonstrate the abundance of nature.

Diameter: 45.2–46.8 cm

Height: 10.1–12.5 cm

Weight: 2.1 kilograms