Terracotta vase in the form of a bull
Unknown Artist
ca. 1450–1200 BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
H. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm) length 5 5/16 in. (13.5 cm)
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Cypriot · Late Cypriot II
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
Accession Number
74.51.827
Art Historical Context
This charming terracotta vase, shaped a bull, hails from Cyprus during the Late Cypriot period (ca. 1450–1200 BCE), a vibrant era of the Late Bronze Age when the island thrived as a maritime crossroads between the Aegean, Near East, and Egypt. Standing just 4½ inches tall and 5⅜ inches long, its compact form belies its cultural weight: crafted from fired clay, terracotta was a versatile medium prized for its durability and accessibility, allowing artisans to produce both utilitarian vessels and symbolic objects for daily life or rituals. The bull motif carries profound resonance in ancient Cy...