Archaeological Heritage (1) - Germany / Federal Republic of Germany 1976 - 120 Pfennig

On October 17, 1868 soldiers discovered in earthworks on the Galgenberg in Hildesheim a treasure, which consisted of about 70 precious Roman silver vessels. The mask cup belongs to the group of drinking vessels, which are commonly called the Greek word Kantharos because of their handles. It is composed of several parts, namely a richly decorated outer coat and a smooth-walled insert, which are connected together at the mouth edge. The cast handle and the foot part are soldered to it. On the bottom you can see two lion skins that are knotted together. The vessel wall itself is decorated with four masks, which are arranged symmetrically between crossed vine and ivy banks as well as so-called thyrsos with rattles, panpipes and tympana. The masks are those of an old wild-haired Silens, the Dionysus with bandage around his forehead and hair, the Pan with goat-horns and animal ears and another bald-headed Silens.