**First Time At Auction**

Near East / Western Asia, Persia (Iran), ca. 8th to 10th century CE. A pretty cast bronze bowl with steep sides and a rounded base, probably used to hold wine or as a libation bowl. Bowls like this one, known as phiale, were used across a wide geographical area - from Greece to Tibet, throughout the ancient Near East and Central Asia. These shallow bowls for holding wine in ritual and ceremonial settings were made from many materials - glass, ceramic, and many kinds of metal. Royal vessels were made of precious metals, while less wealthy but still elite people would purchase bowls designed to mimic the look of precious metals, like this one. They functioned both as tableware and as wealth - they could be stored in the royal treasury or given as gifts to people they were hoping to influence. Size: 6.45" W x 2.7" H (16.4 cm x 6.9 cm)

Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection

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#101255

Possible repair around one side of the base. Small areas of bending, especially low on one side. Mottled very dark green patina, especially on the interior; exterior patina is mainly dark bronze color.