Small Zoomorphic Offering Table from Nuzi Room C8, Stratum III
1500-1350 BCE
Description
A crudely formed, horned animal figurine carrying a vessel on its back. Likely part of an offering table. Although there are no visibly modeled eyes, the animal possesses a mouth formed by a simple groove. In addition, the artist created an anus by pushing a sharp point into the wet clay immediately below the animal's tail. Despite its relatively large size, the vessel only holds a narrow and shallow depression of c. 1 cm. The entire piece is covered by a light colored, heavily worn glaze. The animal's four legs are broken off, as are the tail, most horns, and the rim of the stylized vessel. The surviving horn displays six points.
Dimensions
9 x 8.9 cm (3 9/16 x 3 1/2 in.)
Provenance
Excavated from Yorghan Tepe, Iraq; Original Field Catalogue # 29.12.218 (December 1929, object 218)
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