Bull's Head Cup in the Getty Villa, July 2008

Bull's Head Cup
Greek, from the eastern Mediterranean, 100 BC- 100 AD
Silver and gold; weight: 267.7 grams

Shaped as the head of a bull calf, this cup was used for drinking ceremonial wine or pouring libations. The gilt garland and horns indicate that this calf is a sacrificial animal. Made of two parts, the cup has a smooth, removable liner for holding liquid. An inscription on the liner's rim gives the vessel's weight as sixty-seven drachmas.

Text from the Getty Villa museum label.