Slow your scroll! Take a second to get up close and personal with this basin. 💘 Cherubs on the rim that flank four distinct scenes? ⚔️ The fierce battle with weapons, arms, and horses that jump right out at you? 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 The dramatic scene with two figures in the center? This silver basin depicts scenes from the story of Cleopatra, the legendary queen of Egypt, and the Roman leader, Marc Antony. The artist frames the climactic event of Cleopatra committing suicide in the center, within a circular frieze of the Battle of Actium. The four oval cartouches on the rim represent important events related to Antony: at the top, Antony meets Octavian and Lepidus on an island; on the right, Antony first sees Cleopatra when she arrives on an impressive barge; on the bottom, a banquet; and on the left, Antony kills himself. Basins were typically filled with water so people could clean their hands in between courses during mealtimes, but this particular basin's delicate details suggest that it was more decorative than functional. It was likely displayed on buffets during special occasions. Get a closer look at our link in bio.