Spouted vessel with lion protome

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Object Details

Description

Rhyton with lion protome and elongated, trumpet-shaped horn. Gilded vine leaf scroll around upper part of horn, below rim; gilded acanthus leaf pattern extends along underside of horn. Lion's back, legs and tail, in lower relief and gilded, extend upwards on horn.

Protome in the form of a lion, made separately; now missing ring that would have covered join. Mane, paws, whiskers, tongue, eyebrows, and pupils gilded. Small swirl patterns at inner ends of eyebrows.Swirl-like patterned ear. Central lock of mane in front extends to center of forehead just above nose.

Spout, between forelegs of lion, broken off; originally a tubular spout.

Collection

Arthur M. Sackler Collection

Exhibition History

Feast Your Eyes: A Taste for Luxury in Ancient Iran (February 4, 2012 - ongoing)

Nomads and Nobility: Art from the Ancient Near East (September 28, 1987 to November 1, 1992)

Credit Line

Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

Date

1st century BCE-1st century CE

Period

Parthian period

Accession Number

S1987.130

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Vessel

Medium

Silver and gilt

Dimensions

H x W x D: 25.8 x 26.9 x 17.5 cm (10 3/16 x 10 9/16 x 6 7/8 in)

Origin

Iran

On View

East Building (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery), Gallery 21: Feast Your Eyes: A Taste for Luxury in Ancient Iran

Related Online Resources

Google Arts & Culture

See more items in

National Museum of Asian Art

Data Source

National Museum of Asian Art

Topic

gilding

chasing

hammering

metal

silver

lion

Parthian period (247 BCE - 224 CE)