English
Silk Road Collection
West Asia

Ox-shaped Pottery

  • West Asia
  • Northwestern Iran
  • from the 12th to the 9th centuries BC
  • pottery
  • 18cm in height

One of the objects buried in the tombs of the princes and marquises in Gilan Province on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea in northwestern Iran. It is zebu-shaped pottery. Zebus were raised as livestock in West Asia, India, and Africa in ancient times. Ox-shaped pottery has strong limbs, a peak on the back, and its face is used as the mouth of the vessel. It is speculated that the vessel was used to pour wine at the ceremony.