Terracotta bull

Helladic, Mycenaean

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 151

Bulls were especially prominent among the animals represented in Mycenaean terracotta sculpture. Formidable beasts that were also a valuable source of meat, they embodied strength, fertility, and divine power. They were prized for their use in agriculture and played an important role in Mycenaean religion. Bull statuettes frequently served as votive offerings to a deity, reflecting a desire to communicate with the divine through a prestigious, if symbolic, gift.

Terracotta bull, Terracotta, Helladic, Mycenaean

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

view 1