A phiale, or patera in Latin, is a shallow bowl used for libation. This phiale showcases a marble design, whilst in ancient times they were often made out of metal or ceramic. Libation is a ritual pouring of liquid, or grains, as an offering to a deity/spirit, or in the memory of the dead. The crack down the middle shows that the phiale was once broken in two, then reattached back into a single piece. Ancient Mediterranean World - CA. 100 BC - 100 AD Dimensions: D: 8 in., (20.3 cm.) Good overall. Rough, chipped edges on rim. Crack from edge to edge. Signs of repair.

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.