Miniature Cup with Handle and Side Spout Possibly 500 - 800

This Miniature Cup was crafted from clay by Nieveria. Although its precise date remains a mystery, it is a relic from an ancient civilization. Its form consisting of round lobes and a slender spout indicates a time when functionality melded seamlessly with artistic expression. While the specific cultural context is difficult to ascertain from just the cup, its existence invites us to consider the social conditions that necessitated such craftsmanship. Who was Nieveria? What communal purpose did this cup fulfill? Was it used in rituals? Was it a status symbol? As art historians, we look to archaeological records and cross-cultural comparisons to further enrich our understanding, and reconstruct its history. Ultimately, this Miniature Cup reminds us that the meaning of art is never fixed but always evolving.