The Farnese Cup or Tazza Farnese is a 2nd-century BC cameo hardstone carving bowl or cup made in Hellenistic Egypt in four-layered sardonyx agate, now in the Naples National Archaeological Museum[1] It is a 20 cm wide and similar in form to a Greek phiale or Roman patera, with no foot.[2][3] It features relief carvings on both its exterior and interior surfaces and is around twenty centimeters in diameter.[2][3]
There is no surviving evidence regarding when and why the piece was made, though there is consensus among scholars that it was created in Alexandria, due to the blending of Ancient Egyptian and Ancient Greek or Roman iconography found in its relief carvings. This provides a range of time wherein it may have been created, spanning from approximately 300 BC to 20 BC.[2][4]
The underside has a large Gorgon's head occupying most of the area, probably intended to ward off evil. The upper side has a scene with several figures that has long puzzled scholars. It seems clearly an allegory containing several divine figures and perhaps personifications, but corresponds to no other known representation and has been interpreted in several different ways.
- ^ Inv. MANN 27611.
- ^ a b c Breaking with convention in Italian art. Fischer, Julia C. Newcastle upon Tyne. ISBN 9781443895026. OCLC 991065064.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ a b Pollini, John (1992). "The Tazza Farnese: Augusto Imperatore "Redeunt Saturnia Regna!"". American Journal of Archaeology. 96 (2): 283–300. doi:10.2307/505926. JSTOR 505926.
- ^ Dwyer, Eugene J. (1992). "The Temporal Allegory of the Tazza Farnese". American Journal of Archaeology. 96 (2): 255–282. doi:10.2307/505925. JSTOR 505925.