<em>Deer Head Rhyton</em>, ca. 1000-550 B.C.E. Clay, length: 13 3/16 in. (33.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano, 2015.65.26. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2015.65.26_PS9.jpg)

Deer Head Rhyton, ca. 1000-550 B.C.E. Clay, length: 13 3/16 in. (33.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano, 2015.65.26. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2015.65.26_PS9.jpg)

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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.

Deer Head Rhyton

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 ca. 1000-550 B.C.E.

DIMENSIONS length: 13 3/16 in. (33.5 cm) diameter of mouth: 4 3/4 in. (12 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

EXHIBITIONS

ACCESSION NUMBER 2015.65.26

CREDIT LINE Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano

RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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CAPTION Deer Head Rhyton, ca. 1000-550 B.C.E. Clay, length: 13 3/16 in. (33.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, NYC, in memory of James F. Romano, 2015.65.26. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2015.65.26_PS9.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 2015.65.26_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015

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