Cleveland Museum of Art

Three-Part Pitcher

Date

c. 800–700 BCE

Medium

earthenware, unglazed slip

Culture

Iran, Luristan

Department

Egyptian and Ancient Near Eastern Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This unusual tripartite pitcher is made of three jugs joined together, a twisted handle, and a ram’s head atop a spout. Four feet connect to the pitchers, adding stability and an animal-like form. Ibexes, diamonds, and crosses, all painted in red slip, decorate the clay surface. This work is likely Baba Jan III ware from the Iron Age site Baba Jan in northwestern Iran. The pitcher is functional but may have served a ritual purpose. The ram’s head was created separately before being attached to the spout.

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