Kneeling Bull Figurine Iran Ancient Silver

Here’s a ⁣breakdown of ‍the data provided about the silver human-animal hybrid statuette:

What it is indeed: A silver statuette depicting a bull⁢ kneeling in a human-like ⁤pose, holding a spouted vessel. It’s a hybrid of human and animal features.

Where it’s from: Ancient Elam, Southwestern Iran (specifically, Mesopotamia).

When it was made: ⁣ 3100 to 2900 B.C. (approximately 5,000 years ago).

Culture: Proto-Elamite culture ⁤- the oldest ⁢civilization in iran.

Current Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Dimensions: 6.4 inches (16.3 centimeters) tall.

Material: 98.5% pure silver.

Interesting Details:

Internal Contents: Contains five limestone⁣ pebbles inside, likely to create a rattling sound.
construction: Made with animal yarn fiber adhered to the⁣ statue.
Pose ⁤& Features: Has a bovine head with curved horns ⁤on human-like shoulders, a decorated robe, human-like arms ending in hooves, and cannot stand on its own.
Purpose: Likely used in a ⁣ritual or ceremony.

Sources: The information comes from a 1970 study by Kate Lefferts (a Met conservator) and Donald Hansen ⁢(a fine arts professor at NYU).