An Edwardian sterling silver gilt replica Vaphio cup, Chester 1904 by Nathan & Hayes

After the antique, the “Violent Cup”, of tapering cylindrical form, embossed with bulls being netted by figures. With a strap and tubular handle. Fully marked to side, stamped Dobson Piccadilly underneath.

Length - 13.8 cm / 5.5 inches

Height - 7.5 cm / 3 inches

Weight - 311 grams / 10 ozt

The vaphio cups are a pair of golden cups decorated with scenes in relief, picturing the netting of wild bulls on one and their domestication (perhaps for the bull-leaping activities practised in Crete) on the other which were excavated in 1889 by Christos Tsountas. The so-called "Violent Cup" showing netting of bulls, bears a remarkable resemblance to the description of the beginning of the ritual of consecration for the laws of Atlantis described in Plato's dialogue, Critias. These form perhaps the most perfect works of Mycenaean-Minoan art which have survived. Sir Kenneth Clark observed that even on such evolved works "the men are insignificant compared to the stupendous bulls". It seems likely that these Vaphio cups do not represent a local art but were imported from Crete, which at that early period was far ahead of mainland Greece in artistic development.

Nathan and Hayes were large producers of silverware and specialized in a range of historic revivals from early 18th century to ancient pieces.

Another Vaphio cup of 1914 was sold Lawrence’s Crewkerne, 14 Jan 2020, lot 533 (£440 hammer)

Another Vaphio cup of 1913 was sold Lyon & Turnbull, 4 Dec 2019, lot 497 (£850 hammer)