Beaker (Repoussé Relief Decoration in Two Registers)

Situated at the top of the "Fertile Crescent," Syria was a cultural crossroads where the peoples of the ancient Near East exchanged ideas and artistic visions. Ancient Syrian culture shows Mesopotamian characteristics as well as affinities with the cultural traditions of the coast to the west and the mountains of eastern Turkey to the north. It was from these mountains that Syrian metal workers obtained copper, one of the ingredients necessary for the production of the alloy bronze. Even after the invention of bronze—perhaps because of their easy access to copper deposits—Syrian artists continued to create vessels purely of copper. Its softness allowed for delicate carving in both raised and sunk relief.