Deer Head Rhyton
ca. 1000–550 B.C.E.
1 of 3
Object Label
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.
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.
Caption
Deer Head Rhyton, ca. 1000–550 B.C.E.. Clay, Length: 13 3/16 in. (33.5 cm) Diameter of mouth: 4 3/4 in. (12 cm) Weight: 1.8 lb. (0.8kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano, 2015.65.26. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Gallery
Not on view
Title
Deer Head Rhyton
Date
ca. 1000–550 B.C.E.
Geography
Place made: Iran
Medium
Clay
Classification
Dimensions
Length: 13 3/16 in. (33.5 cm) Diameter of mouth: 4 3/4 in. (12 cm) Weight: 1.8 lb. (0.8kg)
Credit Line
Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano
Accession Number
2015.65.26
Frequent Art Questions
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.
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