Spouted pitcher
This pitcher has a globular body, a ring base and a rounded rim. A pointed spout emerges from the body of the pitcher at an angle before extending horizontally. The back of the spout is connected to the vessel by a bridge whose jointed shaped parallels that of the spout itself. Below the spout is a pointed projection. The combination of the pointed spout and projection below may suggest the form of a bird with a long beak and a crop in its neck. The pitcher is made of burnished grey clay. The body was likely made in two separate pieces on a wheel, with the spout added later.
This pitcher was excavated from a grave at Dinkha Tepe in northwestern Iran. During the Iron Age Dinkha Tepe was a small settlement, probably ruled by Hasanlu, a major site fifteen miles to the east. Presumably this pitcher was used to pour a liquid containing dregs, such as wine, since the round body and spout would prevent the dregs from ending up in the cup. Possibly it was used in a funerary banquet or ritual before it was placed in the grave. Two cups were also found in the grave.
This pitcher was excavated from a grave at Dinkha Tepe in northwestern Iran. During the Iron Age Dinkha Tepe was a small settlement, probably ruled by Hasanlu, a major site fifteen miles to the east. Presumably this pitcher was used to pour a liquid containing dregs, such as wine, since the round body and spout would prevent the dregs from ending up in the cup. Possibly it was used in a funerary banquet or ritual before it was placed in the grave. Two cups were also found in the grave.
Artwork Details
- Title: Spouted pitcher
- Period: Iron Age II
- Date: ca. 1050–800 BCE
- Geography: Iran, Dinkha Tepe
- Culture: Iran
- Medium: Ceramic
- Dimensions: Diameter: 7.75 in. (19.69 cm); Height: 6.25 in. (15.88 cm); Diameter of rim: 3.38 in. (8.59 cm); Length of spout: 4.50 in. (11.43 cm)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1966
- Object Number: 67.247.7
- Curatorial Department: Ancient West Asian Art
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Sasanian
ca. 5th century CE
Achaemenid
ca. 5th century BCE
Proto-Elamite
ca. 3100–2900 BCE
ca. 4000–3600 BCE
Iran
ca. 9th century BCE
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