In antiquity this lovely winecup was a popular export from the city of Athens. Decorated with the owl and olive branch, symbols of Athena, goddess of wisdom and war, it seems an appropriate token of the classical world's Golden Age. Athens in her glory produced art, literature and political ideals which still influence the world. The participants in Plato's symposium might have drunk from such a cup. To hold it today is to journey magically back through time.