These are two masterpieces of Creto-Mycenaean metalwork, found together with other precious objects in the Vapheio tholos tomb. One-handled cups with flaring straight sides are a common type of early Mycenaean cup. These gold examples bear remarkable repouss? decoration, which covers their entire surface. On the first cup a bull is captured by peaceful means: a man ties a rope around the bull's leg, while the animal mates with a cow; three grazing bulls complete the composition. The second cup shows one bull caught in a net while another attacks two hunters as a third hunter flees. Two simple bands at the cup's rim and base frame this scene. The compositions are naturalistic. Details were added to the repouss? figures by chasing with a sharp tool at the end of the manufacturing process. They were probably made by the same craftsman, although the first cup is more carefully executed.