Read About Stag Rhyton

This silver horn decorated with a stag is called a rhyton, a luxury wine vessel. The name comes from the ancient Greek word meaning “pour” or “flow.” Wine was poured from the rhyton into a cup through a tiny spout (now missing) between the animal’s front legs. This process added air to the wine to improve its taste. Sometimes drinkers held the rhyton up high and poured the wine directly into their mouths—which required practice and excellent aim!

This rhyton comes from Parthia, a region in modern-day Iran, and was made sometime between 100-1 BCE. Ancient Iran was conquered by many different cultures over time. Persians controlled the region in the 330s BCE when Alexander the Great invaded the area. After his death, his Greek generals took control. Eventually, the local Parthians slowly expanded their own empire throughout Iran and beyond. These different peoples adopted one another’s social customs and artistic practices. Persians, Greeks, and Parthians all shared the tradition of eating together at banquets to build community. Rhyta (plural of rhyton) like this one were used in rituals and given as gifts at dinners by the Parthian king and other important figures.

These vessels could be made from actual animal horns and tusks. Metal drinking vessels like this one imitate those natural materials. The horn was made with a single sheet of silver that was hammered into shape while the metal was heated to soften it.

Horns became functional art when decorated. This rhyton is gilded and features floral decoration and finely incised (cut) details. Some horns, including this one, were also zoomorphic—meaning they had animal foreparts (front legs, chest, and head) added to the narrow end. The animals chosen to decorate rhyta were considered noble or brave, such as lions, stags, and mythical creatures. Guests at banquets would have admired the craftsmanship and fine details on this rhyton, like the veins on the stag’s snout and the curling leaves and flowers on the horn.

Questions

Write or discuss your responses.

• What do you see? Describe the object.
• How would you describe the surface of the object?
• The rhyton was decorated with a stag because animals like stags and lions were considered noble or brave. What animals do we use as symbols of strength or courage today? Where do you see them used?
• Important people gave rhyta as gifts at dinners to build community and show off their wealth. How do people use gifts at special dinners or celebrations today? Are expensive gifts still used to show status or build relationships?

Optional Activities

Watch the video about the Stag Rhyton to learn more.

Listen to a short curator talk to learn more about the Stag Rhyton.

Object intended for an everyday purpose but decorated with elements unnecessary for its function and intended to be attractive or thought-provoking.

The art of covering a surface with thin metal leaf to create the appearance of solid gold.

To press or cut into a surface (such as stone, metal, clay or wood) with a sharp tool to write text or create fine details.

A special container used for pouring liquids.

Including representations of one or more animal forms in art or symbolism. From ancient Greek words for “animal” and “transform.”