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
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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we welcome any additional information you might have.
Can you tell me how this one was made?
This was made by joining slabs of clay together. The slabs would have first been shaped flat, in order to more easily sculpt the pointed top edge and the decorative dots along the sides. After the rectangles were joined into the basic tray shape, the bird finials were added.
Was this tray with bird heads decorative or did it function as something else?
It was largely decorative. It may have held something ceremonial in a temple setting, but it wouldn't really be categorized as a "functional" object.