Vase with a handle in the form of a human-headed bull protome
This faience vessel has incised decoration on the outside, including two rows of vertical lines with a guilloche pattern between them below the rim. The body of the vessel has a stylized human figure facing forward, with a large bird on the right. A protome, possibly a handle, emerges from the rim of the vessel in the form of a kneeling human-headed bull creature. He has a long beard and a bulbous hat with two horns at the front, indicating divinity. His eyes are seemingly closed.
This vessel was excavated at Surkh Dum, a settlement site in Luristan in the Zagros Mountains of western Iran. It was found in a structure interpreted as a sanctuary and was thus probably an offering to a god. Other faience vessels with similar designs but different shapes have been found at Susa, suggesting that it was made in Elam.
The human-headed bull is a well-known feature of ancient Near Eastern art. Often called a ‘lamassu,’ the creature is generally understood to be a protective entity, which is why colossal bull-men are represented in the doorways and gateways of Assyrian and Achaemenid palaces.
This vessel was excavated at Surkh Dum, a settlement site in Luristan in the Zagros Mountains of western Iran. It was found in a structure interpreted as a sanctuary and was thus probably an offering to a god. Other faience vessels with similar designs but different shapes have been found at Susa, suggesting that it was made in Elam.
The human-headed bull is a well-known feature of ancient Near Eastern art. Often called a ‘lamassu,’ the creature is generally understood to be a protective entity, which is why colossal bull-men are represented in the doorways and gateways of Assyrian and Achaemenid palaces.
Artwork Details
- Title: Vase with a handle in the form of a human-headed bull protome
- Period: Neo-Elamite
- Date: ca. 8th–7th century BCE
- Geography: Iran, Luristan, Surkh Dum
- Culture: Elamite
- Medium: Faience
- Dimensions: 5 9/16 × 5 3/8 × 2 5/16 in. (14.2 × 13.6 × 5.9 cm)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1943
- Object Number: 43.102.45a–c
- Curatorial Department: Ancient West Asian Art
More Artwork
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.