Cleveland Museum of Art

Recumbent Animal on Grater or Scraper

Date

700–500 BCE

Medium

bronze with iron grating plate

Culture

Greece or Anatolia

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

An emaciated bull (or perhaps goat) lying on the ground, his legs tucked under in a resting position, may constitute a handle for this unusual object—likely a grater or scraper, judging from the perforated metal plate on its underside. The anatomically curious ridges across the neck and torso of the animal, as well as the large horned head turned perpendicular to the body, may have helped the owner grip the object while in use. The exact use of this enigmatic object remains unknown.

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