Asian Central Asian Silver Cup

Asian Central Asian Silver Cup, ca. 7th-8th Centuries AD. Thick, hammered silver, on ring base, decorative groove on inside below rim, four punches on the underside. Acquired in Peshawar (Gandhara). Intact (though slightly misshapen), normal serving size, and undecorated, indicating use in daily life, rather than made for votive or ceremonial purposes. A row of small circular punch marks appear on the base, probably indicating a weight in some local standard. The punches are about 2mm in diameter.

Cups of this shape were well known in Central Asia during the 7th and 8th centuries AD. W. 4" H. 1 3/4" (10.2 cm x 4.4 cm)..