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Tray with Bird Heads

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: Iran
  • DATES 1st millennium B.C.E
    DIMENSIONS 4 7/16 x 11 5/16 x 6 1/8 in. (11.3 x 28.8 x 15.6 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 2015.65.24
    CREDIT LINE Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION A rectangular tray having tall sides with toothed edges. The two long sides have two triangular holes each and the two shorter sides have one each. The four corners each terminate in a curving bird's head with a raptor-like beak.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Tray with Bird Heads, 1st millennium B.C.E. Clay, 4 7/16 x 11 5/16 x 6 1/8 in. (11.3 x 28.8 x 15.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano, 2015.65.24. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2015.65.24_PS9.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 2015.65.24_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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     <em>Tray with Bird Heads</em>, 1st millennium B.C.E. Clay, 4 7/16 x 11 5/16 x 6 1/8 in. (11.3 x 28.8 x 15.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano, 2015.65.24. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2015.65.24_PS9.jpg)