DESCRIPTION: Copper vase from Greece after the Chieftain Cup originally stone carved and found in the 1900s at Agia Triada, the ancient administrative center in Crete, home of the Minoans, dated to circa 1500-1450 BC, which resides in the collection of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum in Crete.

One side of the cup depicts the chieftain holding a staff, said to be giving orders to the man to the left. On the other side are three men carrying ox hides. Historians believe the scenes depict a rite of passage where the young man is receiving weapons from the leading officer or chieftain and where the hides are the man's sacrifices to his superior.

Etched signature at the lower side in greek dating the piece to 1925.

The underside shows an institutional accession number and inserted to the underside is a note, under glass, describing the piece and explaining its commission and dedication, including mention of a sack of Cretian dirt inserted into the underside.
CIRCA: 1925
ORIGIN: Greece
DIMENSIONS: H: 11.87" D: 10.5"

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CONDITION: Mild deformation to the body, crack to the side near the top, mild scratches and oxidation. See lot description for details on item condition. More detailed condition requests can be obtained via email (info@akibaantiques.com) or SMS (305)-332-9274. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Akiba Antiques shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.