Lot Essay
A copy of a Thermoluminescence Analysis Report from the Oxford Research Laboratory for Archaeology accompanies this lot (ref. 581s12).
EARLY 1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
Details
A large Persian or Eastern Mediterranean hollow bull
Early 1st millennium B.C.
The vessel-like body hollow, the neck, head and legs solid, the latter cylindrical in shape with horizontal ring, an undulating snake running along the length of the bull's back and neck with its head emerging at the top of the bull's head, another snake head emerging from the circular mouth placed in the bull's chest, the eyes of the snakes inlaid with red glass(?), the bull's eyes composed of applied rings, the whole with painted black geometrical decoration, dot-filled cross-hatching along the body with triangles above, rows of zigzags on the chest and upper head, bands around the legs and horns, two spirals on the backside with small hole by the tail of the snake, repaired
15½ in. (39.3 cm.) high; 12 in. (30.3 cm.) long
Early 1st millennium B.C.
The vessel-like body hollow, the neck, head and legs solid, the latter cylindrical in shape with horizontal ring, an undulating snake running along the length of the bull's back and neck with its head emerging at the top of the bull's head, another snake head emerging from the circular mouth placed in the bull's chest, the eyes of the snakes inlaid with red glass(?), the bull's eyes composed of applied rings, the whole with painted black geometrical decoration, dot-filled cross-hatching along the body with triangles above, rows of zigzags on the chest and upper head, bands around the legs and horns, two spirals on the backside with small hole by the tail of the snake, repaired
15½ in. (39.3 cm.) high; 12 in. (30.3 cm.) long
Provenance
Formerly from the Estate of Mrs Safiyeh Firouz; sold Christie's, London, 10 July 1991, lot 142.
Exhibited
British Museum, London.