Spouted vessel in the form of a bull

Object Details

• Label

  One of the most characteristic ceramic forms of the early Iron Age period (ca. 1400–800 B.C.E.) in northern Iran is a hollow vessel fashioned in the shape of an animal. This vessel in the form of a humped bull, or zebu, made of reddish brown clay, is equipped with crescent-shaped horns, ears, stubby legs, and a muzzle that projects as a beaklike spout. Ceramic vessels and small bronze figurines in the form of a zebu have been recovered from rich Iron Age tombs in northern Iran, indicating this animal's importance to the region.

• Provenance

  To 1966

  Galerie Israel, Tel Aviv, to 1966 [1]

  From 1966 to 1995

  Frank and Joan Mount, Alexandria, VA, purchased from Galerie Israel in 1966

  From 1995

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, given by Frank and Joan Mount in 1995

  Notes:

  [1] According to Provenance Remark 1 in the object record.

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Metalwork and Ceramics from Ancient Iran (November 19, 1992 to January 22, 2004)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Galerie Israel

  Frank and Joan Mount

• Origin

  Northwest Iran

• Credit Line

  Gift of Joan and Frank Mount

• Type

  Vessel

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 0s, BCE 1000s

• Name

  Galerie Israel, Mount, Frank and Joan

• Topic

  Art, Ancient Near Eastern Art, Iron Age II (ca. 1250 - 800 BCE), Bulls, Pottery, Iron Age I (ca. 1450 - 1250 BCE), Ceramics

• Culture

  Iranians, Middle Easterners

• Object Type

  Vessels (containers)