5th century BC. A set of gold fittings for a rhyton-shaped vessel comprising: tubular mouthpiece in two sections with braided filigree band to both rims, two repoussé motifs each of a facing female mask within a braided ring with flanking winged female busts holding two facing heads above a gryphon advancing with head lowered; tubular horse-head finial with raised ribbing to the mane, bands of ribbing to the tapering shaft, beaded wire fillet to the rim and stem; offered with a wooden display support. Cf. Shemackanskaya, M. S. Metals and Things - Items, Internals, Destruction, Restoration, Moscow, 2015, inc. p.245 (accompanied by a copy of the relevant book pages"). 102 grams total, finial: 13cm (5 1/4"). From a European collection; previously in a large American collection formed in Chicago, Illinois, USA, in 1995; previously in the Mansees collection, formed 1950s-early 1990s. After battle, a Scythian warrior would drink the blood of the first enemy he had killed from a cup. With the bloody taste still in his mouth, the Scythian would decapitate the corpses of his slain enemies to use as grisly vouchers in the distribution of booty. Only warriors who presented the heads of their slain enemies would receive their share from the king.