The main treasures exhibited at the Museum of Morgantina are, strangely
enough, the result of illegal diggings that found their way via clandestine
channels to museums in the United
States. The Ladies of Morgantina which I discussed earlier were eventually located
by experts at the University of Virginia Art Museum.
Yet, that is not all for through the same
channels a 15-piece silver hoard was smuggled from the so-called House of Eupolemos on the site of Morgantina
in Sicily to show up at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Evidence for the looting goes back
to the 1980’s but discussions back and forth with the Italian authorities
dragged on for years. Finally in 2006 an agreement was reached between the Metropolitan Museum,
the Italian government and the regional government of Sicily to restitute the treasure under
condition to return it to New-York Metropolitan this year for a period of four
years. Since it was beyond doubt that the vessels came from the site of Morgantina, the treasure arrived back where it belongs in 2010.
Of course, considering the American point of
view, the above deal makes some sense. The Met put down nearly three million
dollars during the years 1981-1982 for this Hellenistic silver believed to come
from Turkey
and wants to cash in on the money spent. But then the Sicilians rightfully say
that these unique vessels belong to the place where they were found and should
be exhibited at the Museo Regionale di
Aidone next to the site of Morgantina. Since November last
year, difficult negotiations are taking place to keep this hoard of Eupolemos where it is now in exchange for
a possible loan of other artifacts to the Metropolitan. The Met is not
commenting on this suggestion although they are at least open for further
discussions. Diplomatic responses are being expressed but nothing conclusive so
far (See this article in The Art Newspaper).
Thanks to a coin found at the House of Eupolemos, the silverware can
be dated to 214-212 BC. These were turbulent years when Carthage and
Rome fought each other in the Second Punic War over
the supremacy of Sicily.
According to Livy, Morgantina
was attacked in 211 BC and conquered by the Romans, events that coincides with the time
the hoard was hidden. An inscription on a lead-tablet reveals the name of Eupolemos, who is either a high-priest, or
the owner or keeper of this precious silverware. It is probable that when the Roman army
entered Morgantina, the silver was buried in the basement of Eupolemos’ house.
The most striking piece may well be an 11
cm-high miniature silver altar weighing as much as 370 grams and decorated
with an Ionic dentil and a Doric frieze of metopes and triglyphs; four ox-heads
crowned with a gold star hold the surrounding gilded garland. This altar
probably was used for offerings at home, but that is not certain. (More details
in this interesting article: “Another thing: Recovered loss – altar from the Morgantina Treasure”).
Beside this special altar, we can admire two
large oval bowls for mixing wine; three drinking cups with in their bottom a
relief of flowers and leaves; a small cup with fishnet motive (looks like a
modern football); a pitcher; a kylix
(wide drinking cup with two handles); a phiale
(offering-dish) with sunrays; a ladle; two pyxides
(round box) one showing a cupid carrying a torch on its lid and the other a
lady holding a child on her lap; a magnificent medallion with a picture of Scylla; and two slender horns that
probably were part of a leather priest-mask. Several of these objects have
inscriptions with dedications to the gods, leading to believe that they were
used for libations.
A closer examination of this silverware has
revealed that the vessels were made by artists from Syracuse, making them the only examples of
the fine silversmith’s art during the second half third century BC when the city
was at the top of its power and prosperity.
Can you imagine the craftsmanship that existed
already in Alexander’s days? Hard to
fathom.
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