Rhyton in the form of a lion. From Kültepe (near Kayseri), 19th – early 18th century BC.
Baked clay. Height: c. 20 cm.

Rhyton = a container from which fluids were intended to be drunk, or else poured in some ceremony such as libation.

This kind of vessel illustrates the high quality of Anatolian craftsmanship at the time of the Assyrian merchant-colonies (also called ‘Colony period’).

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Source: ‘The Hittites’ (J.G.Macqueen), 1996