RARE PAIR OF CUPS Roman art, 1st century BC... Lot 10

RARE PAIR OF CUPS Roman art, 1st century BC - 1st century AD Rock crystal, restored Dim_ 3,2 x 15 cm; 4 x 15,5 cm Provenance Monte Carlo, former collection of Mr. and Mrs. V.A., acquired at the auction house in November 1985 A RARE ROMAN PAIR OF ROCK CRYSTAL MINIATURE CUPS, 1ST CENTURY B.C. - 1ST CENTURY A.D. 1,2 x 5,9 in ; 1,6 x 6 in. Dim. Each cup, elegantly shaped, is carved from a block of rock crystal.The first in the shape of a fairly flat chalice, rests on a pedestal, and has a basin with a flared wall, and a slightly molded then flat lip at the level of the horizontal handles carved in the mass with protruding The second with a deeper body rests on a flat discoidal base. The side handles in the shape of a swan neck curved towards the inside of the body. These forms do not find exact parallels in silverware or Roman glassware, (except for a similar model in agate preserved in the collections of the National Library of France, Cameo. No. 375), but is similar to those of bronze basins from the end of the Republican era. See a similar piece: a large spoon with a rock crystal cup representing the same wave-cutted edge in Christie's NY sale December 9th 1999, lot 414, sold $ 18 400. Each cup, of elegant form, is cut from a block of rock crystal. The first one, in the shape of a fairly flat chalice, rests on a pedestal, and has a flared bowl with a slightly moulded lip, then flat at the level of years. The lip is slightly moulded and then flat at the level of the horizontal handles carved in the mass with protruding points and ending with pouciers. The second, with a deeper body, rests on a flat disc-shaped base. The side handles are in the form of a swan's neck curved towards the inside of the the interior of the body. These shapes have no exact parallels in Roman silver or glassware, except for a similar model in agate preserved in the collections of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Cameo.n°375. However, they are similar to those of bronze basins of the late Republican period. A large spoon with a rock-crystal bowl and a similar serrated edge appears in the catalogue of Christie's NY sale of 9 December 1999, lot 414 and sold for $18,400.