Tempelsman (Jackie O's last male companion) once acquired an ancient
articraft that has a plate in the center but is surrounded by many
small almond-shaped decos. All in one piece and was made in pur gold.
I have seen a picture of it in an article about stolen arts and
archeological artifacts. I believe the particular object was from
Sicily, Italy and the article mention a legal battle underway by the
Italians to reclaim that plate. Does any one out there know what I am
talking about and has a picture of it? I was really amazed at its
beauty when I saw it ... Thanks.

Hello seanomad-ga,

Tan-ga had almost got there in his/her comment.  The object in
question was obtained by Steinhardt, rather than by Tempelsman.  It is
known as the Phiale of Achyris.  The description of it reads "Three
rings of 36 acorns and a fourth, inside, of beechnuts. Alternating
with the acorns in the outermost ring are bees, the two symbolizing
the earth's "victual in plenty," as described by Hesiod. In the center
is a large knob representing the omphalos, the mythic navel of the
universe."  This description, together with pictures can be found at
http://www.archaeology.org/online/features/phiale/, which is the site
of the journal Archeology produced by the Archaeological Institute of
America.  The same page has links to other information and updates on
the platter.  An article in the same journal, dated February 11 2000,
reports that the phiale has been returned to Italy -
http://www.archaeology.org/magazine.php?page=online/news/phiale  It
will be on permanent exhibition in Sicily.

According to the Beazley Open Dictionary at
http://www.beazley.ox.ac.uk/CGPrograms/Dict/ASP/OpenDictionary.asp?name=phiale.html
phiales were used to hold wine, especially wine which was poured onto
the ground as a libation (offering) to the gods.

The article from Archeology mentions that a similar phiale is on
display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.  "Though about
the same diameter (23.5 cm) and height (3.6), the Metropolitan's
phiale weighs less (748 grams). The gold is 22-karat instead of almost
24. In each row of acorns, beechnuts, and bees, there are 33 elements
instead of 36."

Search strategy:

1  Steinhardt, platter 
2. phiale

Brilliant. Extremely relevant and accurate. Many thanks also goes to
tan-ga and demeritcowboy-ga.

Darn, tan-ga, you beat me to that link by about 60 seconds. My browser
crashed and I had to restart.

The only other thing I would suggest is contacting the Boston Museum
of Fine Art - someone there will know what you are talking about and
will probably have a picture.
http://www.mfa.org/info/#telephone