While terracotta vessels painted with scenes from mythology and daily life are among the most well known works of Greek art, these works were actually based on vessels forged from precious metals. Silver and bronze vessels and vases in all shapes and sizes decorated the villas of the elite upper classes. Surely guests at their elegant diner parties must have been impressed with the inherent wealth of the material and the quality of the workmanship. It was the desire of the middle classes to imitate these luxurious banquets that gave rise to the cannon of intricately painted terracotta vessels whose shape and function mimicked those of their metallic predecessors.

This bronze cup features a handle that ends with two swan headed terminals that bend back. The handle itself is wishbone-shaped, with a central upside down u-shaped groove that marks the top of the handle. A thin ring has been attached here. These features suggest that this vessel would have been hung, perhaps over flame to heat the contents once contained within.