Cauldron attachment in the form of a griffin's head
Cauldron attachment in the form of a griffin's head
Datelate 7th century BCE
Mediumbronze
Dimensionsobject: 6 7/8 x 2 7/8 x 3 in. (17.5 x 7.3 x 7.6 cm)
base: 5 1/8 x 3 x 3 1/2 in. (13 x 7.6 x 8.9 cm)
ClassificationMATERIAL CULTURE
Credit LineSBMA, Gift of Wright S. Ludington
Object number1981.64.22
Subject(s)
- animal
- mythology
Collection
- Antiquity
Sub-Collection(s)
- Greek
On View
Not on viewCollections
Label TextDuring the seventh century BCE, a Near Eastern type of wide-mouthed tripod-cauldron was one of the most common dedications presented at major sanctuaries like Olympia and Delphi in Greece. These bronze cauldrons were typically decorated with heads of imaginary creatures like the griffin, a lion who has the head and wings of an eagle. The superbly crafted example seen here shows how Greek bronze smiths – like Greek vase-painters – were able to make the Near Eastern example their own. Using a newly developed bronze-casting technique – the lost-wax method – the artist has captured a lively and alert monster whose menacing beak seems to sound a piercing screech.
