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 Rhyton in shape of a Zebu
Eastern Iran/Western Central Asia late 3rd to early 2nd millennium B.C. |
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The Greeks used vessels called rhytons about 2,500 years ago. Perhaps because they have a flared mouth in which to pour wine and a spout from which wine flows out, the term “rhyton” was derived from the Greek word with meaning of “to flow.” |
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Rhyta were not meant to be receptacles to store wine but rather used as pouring vessels. They were created in West Asia about three thousand years ago as the union of ancient horn-shaped and animal-shaped vessels from the Eurasian continent that existed since the Neolithic period. These objects were indispensable in sacred ceremonies for their shapes must have held some special meaning. |
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Rhyton with a Raptor Pre-Achaemenid period 8th–6th century B.C. |
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Rhyton with a Stag Asia Minor/Black Sea coastal region 4th–2nd century B.C. |
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Rhyton with a Stag Achaemenid period 4th century B.C. |
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This exhibition introduces animal-shaped
vessels dating back over four thousand
years and traces myths and legends
thought to have been associated to them.
Explore these wonderful objects,
which spread from the Mediterranean to
Central Asia with the appearance
of the
Persian empire and Alexander. |
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 Rhyton with a Caracal Cat Parthia 1st century B.C. |
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Rhyton with a Horse Black Sea coastal region 4th century B.C. |
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Their amazing form transcends time and region and lets you imagine the secrets contained in each one.
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Organized by MIHO MUSEUM and The Kyoto Shimbun Newspaper Co., Ltd.
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