Rhyton
Unknown Artist
c. late 600s–early 700s
Medium
silver with gilded foil
Dimensions
h. 30.5 cm
Classification
Silver
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Clara Taplin Rankin
Accession Number
1988.67.3
About this artwork
The form of the animal-headed rhyton as a drinking vessel and the use of silver are evidence of cultural exchange with Persia, while the lush, luxurious quality of the design and the form of the lions and curling dragon on one side of the decanter reveal an awareness of Chinese forms. Poured into the large opening at the top of the horn, wine then flowed out through the small tube held between the parted lips of a bovine-like animal. To keep from spilling, drinkers could stop the flow of the liq...