Christofle & Cie, Silver Plated, Mask Cup, The Hildesheim Treasure, Paris, France, Circa 1880.
After the Hildesheim Mask Cup from the Hildesheim Treasure (see below).
With two vine leaves modeled handles, four masks and two lion masks.
Gilt interior.
The base inscribed - Christofle & Cie, Tresor D'Hildesheim, Fac-simile Galvanique.

Height: 14.5cm / 5.7in.


The Hildesheim Treasure, unearthed on October 17, 1868 in Hildesheim, Germany, is the largest collection of Roman silver found outside imperial frontiers.
Most of it can be dated to the 1st century AD.
The trove consists of about seventy exquisitely crafted solid silver vessels for eating and drinking and is now kept in the Antikensammlung Berlin (Altes Museum).
It is generally believed that the treasure was the table service of a Roman commander, perhaps Publius Quinctilius Varus, who was militarily active in Germania.
However, others also suggest that the treasure may have been war spoils rather than a table service.
The hoard was buried about 2 meters below the ground on Galgenberg Hill, and was found by Prussian soldiers.
Most scholars now accept that the entire Hildesheim Treasure was produced in frontier workshops of the northwestern Roman provinces.