26 août 2017
Late Classical East Greek Gilded Silver Rhyton in the Form of a Fawn's Head, 4th century B.C.E.
Late Classical East Greek Gilded Silver Rhyton in the Form of a Fawn's Head, 4th century B.C.E., H. 22. 5 cm. © Miho Museum
This vessel was beaten from a single sheet of metal to form the deer head, and then the ears and handle were attached to that form. Thin hairs and eyelashes are carved on the face, and black pigment made in the niello technique of silver surface was then applied to the grooves of these incised lines. The eyelashes are the most visibly extant example of this technique. Recent research shows that the nostrils on... [Lire la suite]26 août 2017
Parthian Silver Rhyton with a Caracal Cat and a Fowl, Late 1st century B.C.E.
Parthian Silver Rhyton with a Caracal Cat and a Fowl, Late 1st century B.C.E., H. 27 cm. © Miho Museum
This stunning rhyton or drinking horn depicts the protome (forepart) of a desert lynx (caracal cat, Felis caracal), clutching a desperate cockerel in his paws. This object was made in two major parts - the horn and separately manufactured protome of the lynx and bird. According to Pieter Meyers, The beaker section is hammered from one piece of silver, with some period additions of silver alloy. The protome or section with the... [Lire la suite]26 août 2017
Late Classical Greek Silver Gilt Rhyton with a Horse Protome, 4th century B.C.E., Black Sea Region
Late Classical Greek Silver Gilt Rhyton with a Horse Protome, 4th century B.C.E., Black Sea Region. Silver with gilding, H. 20.8 cm. © Miho Museum
This rhyton is fitted with a finial shaped like the forequarters of a horse. The cup portion of the rhyton is decorated with vertical grooves, and the mouth rim area is surrounded by a band of ivy. The horse's two legs are extended to the front in a leaping posture, and there is a spout between the legs. The forehead section of mane has been clumped into a pillar-like form, while the... [Lire la suite]26 août 2017
Late Classical Greek Bronze Rhyton with a Stag Protome, Late Classical, ca. 4th century B.C.E., Asia Minor-Black Sea Region
Late Classical Greek Bronze Rhyton with a Stag Protome, Late Classical, ca. 4th century B.C.E., Asia Minor-Black Sea Region. Bronze, H. 37 cm. © Miho Museum
This rhyton is an example of a special type of vessel that was used by the Greeks for religious rituals. The word rhyton derives from the Greek verb "to pour through," which accurately describes what happens when liquid is added to the rhyton's flared mouth, since it immediately passes through the vessel and streams out through the open spout on the other end.
This slender... [Lire la suite]26 août 2017
Achaemenid Fragmentary Silver Rhyton with a Horse Protome, 5th-early 4th century B.C.E.
Achaemenid Fragmentary Silver Rhyton with a Horse Protome, 5th-early 4th century B.C.E. Silver, H. 27 cm. © Miho Museum
This rhyton originally was made in two basic parts: the horizontally ribbed horn-now missing a section in the middle-with its plain, slightly flaring rim, and the terminal in the form of a horse protome with arched neck and with forelegs tightly folded under. The mane is dressed with a roached (clipped) central crest flanked by a short fringe along either side, and the forelock is tied upright, trimmed in a stiff... [Lire la suite]26 août 2017
Pre-Achaemenid Silver Rhyton with Ibex Protome and Appliques, 8th-6th century B.C.E.
Pre-Achaemenid Silver Rhyton with Ibex Protome and Appliques, 8th-6th century B.C.E. Silver and electrum, H. 13.5 cm. © Miho Museum
26 août 2017
Achaemenid Gilded Silver Rhyton with a Stag Protome, 5th-4th century B.C.E.
Achaemenid Gilded Silver Rhyton with a Stag Protome, 5th-4th century B.C.E. Silver with gold foil inlay, H. 31 cm. © Miho Museum
The tip of this rhyton is shaped like a stag with extended forelegs. The stag's horns are shaped like spread hands, and the body is decorated with spots, indicating that it is a Dama dama deer. The separately formed cup is decorated with hammered designs depicting the stag's extended hind legs and hindquarters, and the artist used the curving shape of the cup to give a feeling of leaping motion to the... [Lire la suite]26 août 2017
Parthian Silver Gilt Rhyton with a Protome of a Lynx, 1st century B.C.E.
Parthian Silver Gilt Rhyton with a Protome of a Lynx, 1st century B.C.E. Silver gilt, H. 44 cm. © Miho Museum
The lynx's body is decorated with vine and grape motifs, clearly indicating a deep relationship with the rites of Dionysus. And we know that the mystery of Dionysus included ritual vessels featuring this kind of hunting cat, such as a leopard or lynx. Similar examples in the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Sackler Gallery have the same kind of hair depiction on the animals' body, and a spiral motif on their shoulders. The... [Lire la suite]26 août 2017
Hellenistic Life-size Bronze Head of a Man, 3rd-2nd century B.C.E.
Hellenistic Life-size Bronze Head of a Man, 3rd-2nd century B.C.E. Bronze, H. 33.5 cm. © Miho Museum
The Hellenistic period saw the expansion of the Greek cultural realm to Africa and Asia, and during this period there was an interest in portrait sculpture of the great figures and kings of the past. The people of this day were interested in the expression of the refinement and virtues of these individuals. This life-size male head has traces which indicate the attachment of a crown or head decoration, and thus we can consider it... [Lire la suite]26 août 2017
Late Classical-Early Hellenistic Greek Bronze Herakles Atop a Circular Base, 4th-3rd century B.C.E.
Late Classical-Early Hellenistic Greek Bronze Herakles Atop a Circular Base, 4th-3rd century B.C.E. Bronze with glass inlay, H. 20 cm. © Miho Museum
This small statue shows Hercules with a lion-head skin draped from his head and the forepaws of the lion tied across his chest. The end of this lion skin drapes across his left arm and his right hand holds a club. These are typical attributes for Hercules, but here the gently detailed depiction of the fur, the balanced musculature without excess, the glass eyes, and the minutely... [Lire la suite]