alb3608071

Vessel terminating in the forepart of a fantastic leonine creature

Vessel terminating in the forepart of a fantastic leonine creature. Culture: Achaemenid. Dimensions: H. 17 cm. Date: ca. 5th century B.C..
Horn-shaped vessels ending in an animal's head have a long history in the Near East as well as in Greece and Italy. Early Iranian examples are straight, with the cup and animal head in the same plane. Later, in the Achaemenid period, the head, or animal protome, was often placed at a right angle to the cup, as in this piece. In the manufacture of this gold vessel, several parts were invisibly joined by brazing, which demonstrates superb technical skill. One hundred and thirty-six feet of twisted wire decorate the upper band of the vessel in forty-four even rows, and the roof of the lion's mouth is raised in tiny ribs. Typical of Achaemenid style, the ferocity of the snarling lion has been tempered and restrained by decorative convention. The lion has a crest running down his back; his mane has the disciplined appearance of a woven material; and his flanks are covered by an ostrich plume. The inclusion of the plume, a departure from convention, suggests that this lion is winged and has some supernatural significance.
Compartir
pinterestPinterest
twitterTwitter
facebookFacebook
emailEmail

Añadir a otro lightbox

Añadir a otro lightbox

add to lightbox print share
¿Ya tienes cuenta? Iniciar sesión
¿No tienes cuenta? Regístrate
Compra esta imagen
Título:
Vessel terminating in the forepart of a fantastic leonine creature
Vessel terminating in the forepart of a fantastic leonine creature. Culture: Achaemenid. Dimensions: H. 17 cm. Date: ca. 5th century B.C.. Horn-shaped vessels ending in an animal's head have a long history in the Near East as well as in Greece and Italy. Early Iranian examples are straight, with the cup and animal head in the same plane. Later, in the Achaemenid period, the head, or animal protome, was often placed at a right angle to the cup, as in this piece. In the manufacture of this gold vessel, several parts were invisibly joined by brazing, which demonstrates superb technical skill. One hundred and thirty-six feet of twisted wire decorate the upper band of the vessel in forty-four even rows, and the roof of the lion's mouth is raised in tiny ribs. Typical of Achaemenid style, the ferocity of the snarling lion has been tempered and restrained by decorative convention. The lion has a crest running down his back; his mane has the disciplined appearance of a woven material; and his flanks are covered by an ostrich plume. The inclusion of the plume, a departure from convention, suggests that this lion is winged and has some supernatural significance.
Técnica/material:
ORO
Periodo:
Achaemenid
Museo:
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
Crédito:
Album / Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY
Autorizaciones:
Modelo: No - Propiedad: No
¿Preguntas relacionadas con los derechos?
Tamaño imagen:
3984 x 4200 px | 47.9 MB
Tamaño impresión:
33.7 x 35.6 cm | 13.3 x 14.0 in (300 dpi)