<em>Vessel in the Form of a Quadruped</em>, 250–50 B.C.E. Clay, slip, 7 1/4 x length 10 11/16 in. (18.4 x 27.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano, 2015.65.11. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2015.65.11_PS9.jpg)

Vessel in the Form of a Quadruped, 250–50 B.C.E. Clay, slip, 7 1/4 x length 10 11/16 in. (18.4 x 27.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano, 2015.65.11. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2015.65.11_PS9.jpg)

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Was there no color or slip added to this vessel?

It is unlikely there was decoration or color on this particular object. The decorative focus is the form of the quadrupedal animal. Interestingly, no one knows what animal this vessel depicts, the form is quite general.

Could you tell me how this was made?

This piece would have been made by turning an oval jug with a flat bottom on its side. The potter then attached legs, sculpted the opening of the vessel into the animal's head, and added a second opening and handle to the top.

What do you think this was used for? It looks like an interesting tea pot!

Great observation, I've always thought so as well! This vessel was used to pour liquid, likely in a ritual setting, though we can't be certain which liquid. Some likely guesses are water or wine.

The color of the clay is different from the other objects nearby. Is this made from a different kind of clay?

It was certainly made from a different kind of clay. These animal-shaped vessels come from a variety of places and times. Each one would have come fro, a different clay source. Different firing processes and surface treatments also have an impact.

Ok. Thanks.

Vessel in the Form of a Quadruped

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, slip

Place Made: Northern Iran, Iran

DATES 250–50 B.C.E.

DIMENSIONS 7 1/4 x length 10 11/16 in. (18.4 x 27.1 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 2015.65.11

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

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION An oval vessel resting at a slight angle on four round legs with a small open mouth and a handle rising from the back. A horizontal neck encircled by three subtle ribs terminates in an animal head of undetermined species having two small pointed ears or horns and two round eyes. The hollow muzzle serves as a spout. The back of the hindquarters is flat with no suggestion of a tail.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Vessel in the Form of a Quadruped, 250–50 B.C.E. Clay, slip, 7 1/4 x length 10 11/16 in. (18.4 x 27.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano, 2015.65.11. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2015.65.11_PS9.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 2015.65.11_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.

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