Reproduction of a Silver Mycenaean Cup 19th-20th century

Curator: This is a reproduction of a Silver Mycenaean Cup by Emile Gilliéron or his son, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has a somewhat somber feel, doesn't it? The cup's dark silver patina and the almost severe geometric form... it feels ceremonial, even weighty. Curator: The process of creating such an object, even as a reproduction, involves significant labor. Consider the silversmithing techniques, the crafting of the handle, the chasing of the decoration. Editor: Absolutely. And that decoration—a row of stylized snakes rising from a base. Serpents often symbolize protection, healing, or even transformation in ancient cultures. What does that mean in this setting? Curator: Perhaps a reminder of the social hierarchies present at the time, as such a valuable drinking vessel would probably have been reserved for elites. Editor: I see it as a potent symbol of power and perhaps even danger. Its silvery surface gives it an otherworldly quality. Curator: Thinking about the materials and the craft involved helps us to understand the world this cup inhabited. Editor: Indeed. It reminds us that symbols and material objects can be quite powerful.