1500-1350 BCE
This bird is rather crudely formed, with little indication of wings, and a tail divided into two tufts (one broken). The sides of the bird's body are slightly dimpled. The eyes are formed from small terracotta balls pressed into the sides of the head. The beak is broken off. The glaze is light colored but originally may have been a darker green or blue. The broken base, which is in the place of feet, indicates that the figure was likely part of an offering table or vessel that was either not recovered or not reunited with its zoomorphic decoration.
5.08 x 2.9 x 7.8 cm (2 x 1 1/8 x 3 1/16 in.)
Excavated from Yorghan Tepe, Iraq; Original Field Catalogue number possibly #30.2.380 (unconfirmed)
Limestone
4th-3rd century BCECypriotMolded, gray earthenware with cold-painted pigments
6th centuryChineseCopper
20th centuryGermanSancai ("three-color") ware: off-white earthenware with clear and caramel-brown lead-fluxed glazes, and with traces of cold-painted pigments in localized areas
8th centuryChinese
Bronze
20th centuryAmericanLead-glazed ware: molded white earthenware with straw-yellow, lead-fluxed glaze and with traces of cold-painted red and black pigments over the glaze
7th centuryChineseLeaded bronze
7th-1st century BCEEgyptianTerracotta
3rd century BCE-3rd century CERomanTerracotta
18th centuryItalianTerracotta
Terracotta
Stone
19th-20th centuryPolynesian