<em>Vessel in the Form of a Recumbent Camel with Jugs</em>, 250 B.C.E.–224 C.E. Clay, 5 7/8 x 10 1/4 x 13 1/4 in. (15 x 26 x 33.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano, 2015.65.15. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2015.65.15_PS9.jpg)

Vessel in the Form of a Recumbent Camel with Jugs, 250 B.C.E.–224 C.E. Clay, 5 7/8 x 10 1/4 x 13 1/4 in. (15 x 26 x 33.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano, 2015.65.15. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2015.65.15_PS9.jpg)

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What was kept in this?

It is presumed that this camel-shaped vessel held wine. It likely served ritualistic purpose; as you can imagine, it would be difficult to drink from and not large enough for storage.

Could you tell me what method was used to make this? Was it thrown on a wheel or perhaps made up of many pinch pots?

This item would have been sculpted by hand by simply combining pieces of clay, rather than primarily pinched or thrown on a wheel. You can see areas at the neck of each jug where it is clear that the details were achieved by then shaving away clay.

What can you tell me about the camel with jugs?

This camel dates to the Parthian period which is a period in Persia that roughly coincides with ancient Rome. Scholars believe this was a ceremonial wine vessel.

The camel was associated with Silk Road trade as they were more popular as beasts of burden in central Asia long before they were in western Iran.

The holes in the neck represent an ancient repair. You can see the crack between in them if you look carefully. The holes were drilled in order to tie the two pieces back together.

Vessel in the Form of a Recumbent Camel with Jugs

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Ancient Iranian Ceramics

These ceramics demonstrate ancient Iranian artists’ interest in creating containers and other ritual instruments in the shape of mammals or birds. This tradition was of incredible duration, stretching back to about 3000 B.C.E. of the Neolithic period and lasting as late as the sixth century C.E. These shapes relate Iranian art to the customs of neighboring regions of Mesopotamia, Greece, and Central Asia where animal art also played an integral role.

MEDIUM Clay

Place Made: Western Iran, Iran

DATES 250 B.C.E.–224 C.E.

PERIOD Parthian Period

DIMENSIONS 5 7/8 x 10 1/4 x 13 1/4 in. (15 x 26 x 33.6 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 2015.65.15

CREDIT LINE Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION A horizontal vessel that tapers to a small nozzle above which a long neck curves forward to end in a small somewhat angular head. Small ears and a loop-like curl on top of the head enhance the alert expression conveyed by the eyes with their incised radiating lines. The nostrils and the mouth are also incised. The head and neck had broken from the body of the pot in antiquity and were reattached by thongs or wires laced through the holes bored at the base of the neck on either side of the break. A short-necked mouth with a beveled rim braced at the back by a small circular handle rises from the top of the animal's back. On each side of the vessel is an oval jar with a narrow mouth and beveled rim. A small vertical form on the round rump suggests the tail.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Vessel in the Form of a Recumbent Camel with Jugs, 250 B.C.E.–224 C.E. Clay, 5 7/8 x 10 1/4 x 13 1/4 in. (15 x 26 x 33.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano, 2015.65.15. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2015.65.15_PS9.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 2015.65.15_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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