A finely cast and hammered ancient Greek bronze bowl featuring a hemispherical container with a flattened base. Its slightly convex walls slant upwards, leading to an inverted rim. The base of the interior is decorated with incised concentric circles, though they are now partly worn and covered by encrustations. The surface of the bowl is covered with patination and earthy encrustations. Signs of wear as consistent with age, such as minor scratches to the surface of both the interior and exterior. Vessels were made in Ancient Greece in a wide variety of shapes and materials, for example bronze (such as this example), terracotta, glass, stone, wood, and more. They served a number of different purposes, including as funerary, votive, medicinal, or domestic items for washing or for holding wine, oils, water, and cosmetics. Bronze, as a alloy of copper, which was widely available in the ancient Mediterranean, tin, and sometimes lead, was a cheaper alternative to silver and gold. Thus, many more bronze vessels survive, buried in tombs or grave sites. Measurements: H 4.8cm x W 13cm Provenance: Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.