Container in the form of a bull bearing a pot
12th to early 13th century
In the pre-Islamic Zoroastrian religion of Iran, cattle, especially bulls with inward turning horns, had special meaning as the first creature god created. Their popularity continued with Islam, and images of cattle such as this bull-shaped container became particularly widespread during the artistically prolific Seljuk Empire.
The animal’s body is hollow to hold an unknown liquid, with the open nose acting as spout. The pot on the bull's back also held liquid and may have acted as a flower vase.
Stonepaste; glazed in opaque white, luster painted (with later repairs)
17 1/2 x 6 in. (44.45 x 15.24 cm)
L.: 12 1/2 in.
Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection
38.139
Provenance: [S. Craig Preston, New York]; purchased from Mr. Preston by Seattle Art Museum (Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection), 1938
Photo: Elizabeth Mann