This magnificent silver vessel in the form of a
standing bull dates back from the era when the
Persian civilization was first united under the
rule of Cyrus the Great. Cyrus conquered one of
the largest civilizations the world has known,
uniting various cultures together under a
centralized government based on tolerance, both
religious and political. In fact, the Persian Empire
is known as the first truly multicultural empire.
As the head of a political system encompassing
many diverse lands and the peoples who
inhabited them, the Persians benefited from
exposure to a variety of artistic styles. This silver
bull is believed to have come from the Medians,
close neighbors to the Persians and the first
peoples to be absorbed into the Persian Empire.
Palace walls in the ruins of Persepolis, the
Persian capital, depict processions of Medians
offering gifts to the Persian Emperors. Perhaps
this bull was once such gift. The work consists
of seventeen individual parts of hammered
repousse and cast silver that fit together by
means of sleeve joints, solder and rivets. The tail
is made separately as well as a small lid on the
back. An electrum/gold foil highlight decorates
the forehead and the base of the horns. A spout
located on the underside of the belly indicates
that this work most likely functioned as a ritual
vessel in a pre-Achaemenid temple or palace.
- (X.0020)
|
