Question

What type of metalwork sculpture is pictured below?
A round metal bowl with classical human and animal carvings around it.

Answer 1

I can’t see the photo you mentioned — could you upload it? With an image I can give a definite ID. In the meantime, here are the most likely possibilities and how to tell them apart:

Likely object types
- Phiale / patera — a shallow, handleless libation bowl common in Greek/Roman contexts. Often flat-bottomed with figured scenes around the rim.
- Krater — a larger mixing bowl (for wine and water). Usually deeper and has two horizontal handles.
- Scyphos / cup — a deeper drinking cup, typically with two handles.
- Rhyton — a vessel with a horn or spout, often ending in an animal head (less likely if it’s simply round).
- Tazza — a shallow saucer-like bowl, sometimes on a short stem/foot (Renaissance/neo-classical).
- Decorative embossed/repoussé bowl — refers to the metalworking technique rather than a specific vessel type; classical figures and animals are common subject matter.

How to identify by features
- Handles: presence, number and position point to krater or scyphos vs phiale (no handles).
- Depth and profile: shallow = phiale/patera or tazza; deep = krater/scyphos.
- Base: raised foot suggests tazza; flat bottom suggests phiale/patera.
- Technique: raised figures hammered from the back = repoussé; fine surface detail worked from the front = chasing/engraving. Look for hammer marks on the inside (repoussé).
- Metal & markings: silver/sterling usually has hallmarks; bronze will have a greenish patina if old.

If you upload the picture I’ll identify the exact type and probable age/technique.