Ancient Greek Silver Embossed Phiale

A fine Ancient Greek dish cast in silver. The shallow vessel with a flat base and short sides leading to an everted lip resembles a Roman patera in form. The phiale is embellished with an embossed pattern of twenty-two radiating petals, each with a chased mid-rib and pointed tip, tipped by tear-shaped lobes with chased mid-ribs, repeated around a smooth and unworked central circle. On the outside of the dish the pattern is enriched with fine outlines to each of the raised geometric forms, and floral motifs between each of the teardrop forms on the sides. The inside of the dish is smoother, creating a simple flower or sun-like pattern around the gold circle in the centre. Originally a gold appliqué would have sat in the centre, but this is now missing.