The two golden one-handle caps were found in 1888 by Christos Tsountas in a pit burial of the Mycenean IIA period in the tholos tomb at Vapheio, near Sparta. The first cup depicts a peaceful capturing of a bull: a man ties a rope around its leg. The second cup displays a more violent scene, with a bull caught in a net while another attacks two hunters. They date back to the sixtheenth century BC.
See:
- J.T. Hooker, "Il Rhyton miceneo dell'assedio e la questione dell'influenza egiziana" American Journal of Archaeology 71.3 (luglio 1967:269-281) p. 275.
- Ellen N. Davis, The Vapheio Cups: One Minoan and One Mycenean?, The Art Bulletin, 56:4, 1974,pp. 472-487