Circa 500-400 BC A sphere-shaped silver phiale, to the centre a rounded raised boss, known as an omphalos. The omphalos is thought to have symbolised the navel of the earth, the central point of power that all things revolved around. Around the central omphalos, is decorated with a series of incised lotus petals, elegantly depicting the stems. For similar see: Richter, Gisela M. A. 1953. Handbook of the Greek Collection. Pp 127, 266, pl 106b, Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press. Size: L:55mm / W:135mm; 134g Provenance: Property of a central London Gallery; formerly in a 1980s UK collection.