Recumbent Animal on Grater or Scraper
Unknown Artist
700–500 BCE
Medium
bronze with iron grating plate
Dimensions
h. 4.1 cm · base: 7.6 × 4.3 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund
Accession Number
1974.37
About this artwork
An emaciated bull (or perhaps goat) lying on the ground, his legs tucked under in a resting position, may constitute a handle for this unusual object—likely a grater or scraper, judging from the perforated metal plate on its underside. The anatomically curious ridges across the neck and torso of the animal, as well as the large horned head turned perpendicular to the body, may have helped the owner grip the object while in use.