Cleveland Museum of Art
Rhyton
- Date
- c. late 600s–early 700s
- Medium
- silver with gilded foil
- Culture
- Central Asia (Sogdiana) or Tibet
- Department
- Indian and Southeast Asian Art
- Institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
The form of the animal-headed rhyton as a drinking vessel and the use of silver are evidence of cultural exchange with Persia, while the lush, luxurious quality of the design and the form of the lions and curling dragon on one side of the decanter reveal an awareness of Chinese forms. Poured into the large opening at the top of the horn, wine then flowed out through the small tube held between the parted lips of a bovine-like animal. To keep from spilling, drinkers could stop the flow of the liquid by holding a thumb over the lower aperture. This drinking horn was a communal vessel which guests would pass around to share wine at parties.
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