Vessel in the shape of a bull

Small, red-brown earthenware vessel in the shape of a bull. The body is long and tubular, with a thick rump and high exaggerated hump. Two high horns form a crescent shape and the body sits on four stubby feet. The mouth of the animal opens into a small scoop-like spout. Small modelled ears on each side, flattened spots of clay for eyes.Genitals modelled underneath. Lightly burnished.

Bull is in 5 pieces, see Conservation Note #2

Historical period(s)
1st millennium B.C. ?
Medium
Pottery
Dimensions
H x W x D: 11.3 x 6.3 x 16.7 cm (4 7/16 x 2 1/2 x 6 9/16 in)
Geography
Iran
Credit Line
Gift of Joan and Frank Mount
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Study Collection
Accession Number
FSC-P-4741a-e
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Vessel

Keywords
bull, Iran
Provenance

To 1965
Galerie Israel, Tel Aviv, Israel. [1]

From 1965 to 1996
Frank and Joan Mount, Alexandria, Virginia, purchased from Galerie Israel, Tel Aviv, Israel. [2]

From 1996
Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Frank and Joan Mount, Alexandria, Virginia. [3]

Notes:

[1] See Curatorial Remark 3 in the object record.

[2] See note 1.

[2] See note 1.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Frank and Joan Mount
Galerie Israel

Description

Small, red-brown earthenware vessel in the shape of a bull. The body is long and tubular, with a thick rump and high exaggerated hump. Two high horns form a crescent shape and the body sits on four stubby feet. The mouth of the animal opens into a small scoop-like spout. Small modelled ears on each side, flattened spots of clay for eyes.Genitals modelled underneath. Lightly burnished.

Bull is in 5 pieces, see Conservation Note #2

Collection Area(s)
Ancient Near Eastern Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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