Animal-shaped vessel

Vessel in the form of a bull, with a bulbous body, short stubby legs, a tubular opening in the center of the back connected to a short handle, and twin openings in the two front legs, allowing liquid to pour from two perforations. Modern restoration of the edges of the handle and spout, the horn tips, and rejoining of the head and neck to the body.

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Historical period(s)
Parthian period, ca. 160 BCE-224 CE
Medium
Clay fired gray; surface originally burnished
Dimensions
H x W x D: 20.3 x 25.6 x 14.1 cm (8 x 10 1/16 x 5 9/16 in)
Geography
Northwest Iran
Credit Line
Gift of Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S1987.94
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Zoomorphic vessel

Keywords
bull, Iran, Parthian period (247 BCE - 224 CE)
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Vessel in the form of a bull, with a bulbous body, short stubby legs, a tubular opening in the center of the back connected to a short handle, and twin openings in the two front legs, allowing liquid to pour from two perforations. Modern restoration of the edges of the handle and spout, the horn tips, and rejoining of the head and neck to the body.

Label

Animal-shaped vessels, often provided with a pouring spout, are among the most characteristic and long-lived creations of ancient Iranian artisans.  With their lustrous gray or copper-colored surfaces, they were probably made to imitate metal vessels.

Published References
  • Ann C. Gunter. The Art of Eating and Drinking in Ancient Iran. vol. 1, no. 2 New York. p. 11, fig. 3.
  • Ann C. Gunter. Ancient Iranian Drinking Vessles. vol. 18, no. 9 Hong Kong, September 1987. p. 39, fig. 1.
Collection Area(s)
Ancient Near Eastern Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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