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Head and Neck of Bull

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 ca. 1000–600 B.C.E.
    DIMENSIONS height: 12 13/16 in. (32.5 cm) base width: 10 1/4 in. (26 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 2015.65.29
    CREDIT LINE Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION A simplified bull's head that tapers to a round flat muzzle whose disk-like rim and large circular nostrils give the head a porcine appearance. The broad flat forehead, the broken stubs of curving horns and protruding ears, and the sharp edge of the jaw emphasize the bovine character of the animal. In keeping with the simplified style of the whole, the eyes have large circular rims and somewhat hemispherical centers. The tapering, almost conical neck has regular ridges that run diagonally across the sides of the neck. These ridges meet under the neck in a slight v with a vertical undulating flange that indicates the dewlap. The back of the neck is smooth.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Head and Neck of Bull, ca. 1000–600 B.C.E. Clay, height: 12 13/16 in. (32.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano, 2015.65.29. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2015.65.29_PS9.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 2015.65.29_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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     <em>Head and Neck of Bull</em>, ca. 1000–600 B.C.E. Clay, height: 12 13/16 in. (32.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano, 2015.65.29. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2015.65.29_PS9.jpg)