Zoomorphic vessel

Detail of a pattern
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At A Glance

  • Period

    1400-800 BCE
  • Geography

    Germi, Iran
  • Material

    Burnished earthenware
  • Dimension

    H x W x D: 19.4 x 27.2 x 14.3 cm (7 5/8 x 10 11/16 x 5 5/8 in)
  • Accession Number

    S1998.206
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_S1998.206

Object Details

  • Description

    An animal shaped vessel hand-built of orange/brown earthenware with modeled details. The surface is smooth and burnished. The neck is high and tubular, with a single strap handle extending from the neck to the rounded, "football shaped" body. The spout is modeled like an animal neck and head, with ears point upward and appliqueed button-like eyes. There is an incised row of inverted "v" decoration down the back of the spout (like a mane) and the back of the handle (like a tail) and there is incised decoration around the base of the neck as well. At the bottom of the vessela are three chubby little feet.
    Two areas of loss at the rim have been filled with a tinted plaster/putty. One of the fills has broken away leaving bits of residue. Scattered wear and abrasion, mostly on one side; firing flaws/burnt out inclusions. Well preserved burnished surface on one side. Overall, in very good condition.
  • Provenance

    ?-2005
    Mr. and Mrs. Osborne (1914-2004) and Gratia Hauge (d. 2000) [1]
    From 2005
    The National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, by gift of Osborne and Gratia Hauge, and Victor and Takako Hauge [2]
    Notes:
    [1] The Hauge family began collecting Asian paintings, sculpture, and ceramics in the late 1940s and would amass a large collection in the post-World War II years.
    [2] Ownership of collected objects sometimes changed between members of the Hauge families. See Deed of Gift, dated October 16, 2005, copy in object file. From 2005-2023 the work was part of the National Museum of Asian Art’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Collection and on March 21, 2023, the work was internally transferred to the National Museum of Asian Art Collection.
  • Collection

    National Museum of Asian Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    Asian Traditions in Clay: The Hauge Gifts (October 29, 2000 to April 22, 2001)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Mr. and Mrs. Osborne and Gratia Hauge ((1914-2004) and (1907-2000))
  • Origin

    Germi, Iran
  • Credit Line

    Gift of Osborne and Gratia Hauge
  • Type

    Vessel
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

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