Deer Head Rhyton
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
DATES
ca. 1000–550 B.C.E.
DIMENSIONS
length: 13 3/16 in. (33.5 cm)
diameter of mouth: 4 3/4 in. (12 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
2015.65.26
CREDIT LINE
Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
A conical horn tapers downward from a flat cuff at the top to a curving terminal that forms a simplified deer head. The head has a pronounced convex profile with a protruding upper lip and a concave underside. The edges of the jaws are sharply modeled and between them a small round hole allows the liquid to run out. Short branching antlers and naturalistically modeled ears extend at right angles to the axis of the vessel. In contrast to these three-dimensional forms, the almond-shaped eyes have essentially flat rims with shallowly incised outlines and canuli. The shape and balance of the entire vessel allows it to support itself only if stood upside down on its rim.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Deer Head Rhyton, ca. 1000–550 B.C.E. Clay, length: 13 3/16 in. (33.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano, 2015.65.26. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2015.65.26_PS9.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 2015.65.26_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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we welcome any additional information you might have.
Tell me about the deer head rhyton.
That's one of my favorites! The head is so detailed, we think it may depict a roe deer, a species native to Iran. All of these animal-shaped vessels were made in ancient Iran. The deer rhyton is Elamite in origin.
What is a rhyton?
A rhyton is a container from which liquids were drunk or poured during a ceremony!
Is there any significance to calling it a rhyton rather than a ceremonial cup or chalice?
The word rhyton refers to this particular shape of cup. They usually don't have a flat bottom, but sculptural decoration instead like the deer head you see here.
