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Large pottery vessel in the shape of a zebu

Price: on request
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Object number
AR2711
Object: Pottery vessel from Amlasch culture in shape of a zebu

Material: Red clay with reddish-brown slip

Date: About 1000 - 700 BC
Amlasch culture, today's Iran
The authenticity and age are proven by a thermoluminescence analysis from the renowned Kotalla lab which the buyer will of course receive together with the vessel.

Description:    The impressive vessel is shaped as a zebu, a domestic cattle from Ancient Near East. The vessel was most probably originally used for ritual ceremonies. A cylindrically-shaped neck is attached to a flattened spheroid body. Large curved horns are attached to the small head with carved eyes. The tail and the skin below the neck are stylized as central clay bulges. It is remarkable that besides the small furrow-shaped spout which forms the animal's mouth, there are no further opening. The vessel must thus have been filled through the spout or had a purely symbolic function.

Size: Length 35.5 cm, width 16.5 cm, height 29 cm.

Condition: Very professionally restored from several fragments. Overall great condition for a vessel of this size. Nicely preserved, smooth slip.
One of the horns is broken and missing.

Provenance: Acquired 2016 in a German auction house. Ex German private collection, in which it was acquired in the 1970s or earlier.

References: Compare Christie's Auction 10372, April 2015, Lot. 63 - slightly smaller than the object offered by our gallery, sold for 10,000 GBP.
Similar R. Amiran, Ancient Pottery of the Holy Land, p. 297, picture 312.

Authenticity: We unconditionally guarantee the authenticity of every artefact, all items are subject to our lifetime return policy on authenticity.