8011900 [a rhyton] |
A rhyton is a liquid container usually in the form of a horn, a head of a woman, or a head of an animal. It was used by the Ancient Greeks and other peoples to pour or drink wine from it during ceremonies.
The rhyton in this photo is made of silver with gold horns and rosette on the forehead. The muzzle, which has the pouring hole, is gold-plated, as were initially the eyes and the inside of the ears. It dates back to 16th c. BC.
Found in Grave IV in the archeological site of Mycenae.
Photographed in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens (here) on January 18, 2014.