Probleme ale genezei şi restaurării cupelor de tip kantharos de la Sâncrăieni
Research issues regarding the genesis and restoration of the Sâncrăieni kantharos-cups

Summary/Abstract: The treasure of Sâncrăieni (Harghita County, România) includes eight cups with stems and holders (of the kantharos type), seven hemispherical cups (the mastós type), two bracelets, a fibula and two coins. This is the largest set of silver tableware from the Late La Tène Dacia (1 st century BC). Its exceptional weight (3650 g) makes it heavier than any other Dacian silver hoard. The way the kantharos cups in Sâncrăieni (Fig. 1–8) were manufactured and the way they were restored is extremely important for understanding the meanings of this treasure. The technological and stylistic differences in the elements of the kantharos cups from Sâncrăieni allow us to identify several distinct artisans: (1) the artisan of the engraved bowls (the bowls of cups no. 4–8); (2) the artisan of the imported cup no. 1; (3) the artisan of cups no. 2 and 3, probably of the 3 rd type of stems as well (Fig. 12 and 13/2–3) and (4) the artisan of the 2 nd type of stems (Fig. 12). Artisans 1, 3 and 4 are local, while the 2 nd one is Greek-Roman. One can also assume that there is a chronological gap between the work of craftsman no. 1, on the one hand, and those of the 3 rd and 4 th , on the other hand, perhaps a matter of one generation. However, the less than harmonious collaboration of a number of craftsmen with different manners of ornamentation, led to a lack of unity in the style of the elements constituting the kantharos cups produced in a „Barbarian” milieu (cups no. 2–8). The lack of stylistic unity, as well as the disassembly of the Sâncrăieni cups prior to their burial brought forth insurmountable dilemmas to modern restoration. It is therefore preferable to avoid interventions of an irreversible nature in an attempt to preserve the separate elements of the kantharos cups in the state in which they had been discovered.

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