Product Description

There are two identical rhytons from the Panagyurishte Thracian Gold treasure, shaped with antler’s heads and very elaborately modelled big horns. Both handles end with the body of a lion whose forepaws rest on the mouth-rim. What makes the two antler-rhytons different is the decoration on their necks. The first one illustrates the popular story from the Greek mythology about the Judgment of Paris, also known by the name Alexander, which caused the burst of Trojan War. The importance of the event is emphasized by using the typical for the Thracian art solar disc on the animal’s forehead. The hero was supposed to chose among the three Goddess: Athena, Hera and Aphrodite, in order to award the most beautiful one with the golden apple. Paris chose the Goddess of love and beauty who gave him as reward Helen of Troy to be his wife. This kindled not only the war but also the wrath of the two neglected Goddess. With the exception of the awarded Aphrodite, all the figures are seated. Their clothing I depicted in great detail, with all natural curves, jewelry and the typical for everyone attributes. Even though easily recognizable, there is a dotted inscription about their names. The handle ends in the lower part in the shape of beautiful woman’s head.

The neck of the second identical antler-rhyton illustrates two feats performed by two mythological heroes arranged in almost heraldic order: Heracles’s victory over the Ceryneian  hind and Theseus’ battle with the Marathon  bull. The scenes are rendered with great realism and show the intense atmosphere of the deadly battles.

The technique used for this replica rhyton is called “galvanoplastic”, which allows an exact replica to be made, but with a much lighter material. Our team of designers creates a precise carving on a silicone mold in which we pour wax. The wax takes the form of the object, which after that we cover with metal through galvanoplasty process, and finish it with gold cover.