#MetalMonday:
Silver Ram’s Head Rhyton, c. 700-600 BCE, from Ziwiye (Iran)
On display at @pennmuseum
Read more about this piece here: https://www.penn.museum/sites/expedition/an-iranian-drinking-vessel/
“The termination of the fleece in a straight line between the eyes draws attention to the great width separating the base of the horns, themselves emphasized by a rather triangular treatment. In spacing and styling, the horns depart from their natural condition where they are usually close together with flattened bases. The use of three complete turns, the tightness of the coil, and the protrusion from the head are also liberties taken by the artist, producing a geometric effect in what pretends to be a natural representation. The excessive protrusion of the horns allows them to serve as handles when holding the rhyton. The smooth face and bold eyes form a neat contrast to the elaboration of fleece and horns. The deep eyes, probably originally inlaid, are reinforced by the large, conventionalized eyebrows and exaggerated tearducts. The two appendages below the horns appear to be drooping ears made visible by the artificially tight curl of the horns.”