New monograph on the Farnese Cup traces its epic journey through history

A new monograph on the Farnese Cup, the largest engraved vessel from the ancient world, has been published by 5 Continents Editions. The book is a collaboration between archaeologist Valeria Sampaolo and photographer Luigi Spina. The cup, a phiale made of sardonyx agate, was created in the Hellenistic period and likely belonged to Emperor Augustus. It traveled between the East and Italy during the Middle Ages, was part of Frederick II's treasure, and after the fall of Constantinople passed through the Aragonese court of Naples and papal collections before reaching Lorenzo de' Medici. In the mid-16th century it moved from Florence with Margaret of Austria, widow of Alessandro de' Medici and wife of Ottavio Farnese. In the 18th century, Charles III of Naples and Spain transferred the Farnese collection to Naples. The cup now resides at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli (MANN). The book explores its iconography and history, including damage inflicted by Medici jewelers who drilled a hole in the Gorgon's head to attach a foot, and a 1925 incident where a guard smashed its case with an umbrella, causing damage later repaired. Spina's photographs use warm, sunny light to highlight the stone's translucency and fiery tones.