Persian Vessel in the Form of a Horse's Head in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, July 2010

Title: Vessel in the form of a horse's head

Period: Achaemenid

Date: 5th century B.C.

Geography: Iran

Medium: Silver, gilding

Dimensions: 8.03 in. (20.4 cm)

Classification: Metalwork-Vessel

Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1947

Accession Number: 47.100.87

On View

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/Works_of_Art/collection_database/ancien...

and

Vessel in the form of a Horse’s Head
Silver, gold foil
Iran
Achaemenid period, 5th century BC

Accession Number: 47.100.87

The naturalistic rendering of a horse’s muzzle merges into a beaker shape in this stylized yet vibrantly sculpted vessel. The bits, bridles, and bird frieze around the rim are made of gold foil, which adds a touch of color to the exquisite piece, probably produced for court banquets. Harness attachments similar to those shown on this vessel have been excavated at Persepolis, where they are also represented on reliefs.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label