This red teracotta fragment depicts the front half of a bull detailed with horns curling back above his ears, prominent round eyes and an indented snout and nostrils. Indented lines also detail the texture of its thick neck and shoulders as well as the intact front two legs.
In ancient Persion culture the bull is associated with the weather god as the animal who draws his chariot. Cattle breeding was also important economically, and many pieces of pottery depicting well defined bulls attest to the craftsmen's ability and desire to express concern for the power and vitality of the animals.
Condition: Fragment as described, right side of piece worn mostly smooth, age appropriate mineral accumulation, otherwise intact and custom mounted
Dimensions: height with stand 5.75 inches (14.6 centimeters), length of piece approximately 3 inches (7.6 centimeters).
Provenance: Paul Ilton private collection.
