Container in the form of a bull bearing a pot

12th to early 13th century, Stonepaste; glazed in opaque white, luster painted (with later repairs), Iran or Iraq (Persia), Seljuq dynasty (ca. 1040–1157) or slightly later, 38.139

Learn about it!

This clay sculpture of a bull was made about a thousand years ago in the Middle East, in the area that was once called Persia and is now the nation of Iran. We don’t know for certain what it was used for, but the inside of the bull is hollow, so it probably held some kind of liquid that was poured out through an opening in the animal’s nose. An extra vase-shaped vessel sits on the bull’s back. It might have held flowers.

I Spy . . .

  1. Look closely at Container in the form of a bull bearing a pot. Can you find these details on the sculpture’s body? On Container in the form of a bull bearing a pot, I spy…
    • People with their arms up
    • Birds—how many can you find?
    • Circles and ovals
    • Thick stripes and lines
    • Spirals and loops
    • Deer with spots
  2. Now it’s your turn! Find a detail on Animal Vessel and tell someone you came to the museum with what you spy. Can they find it?
Close-up of people’s faces on Container in the form of a bull bearing a pot.

Take a Guess

Sometimes there are questions that a museum cannot answer, like what exactly this object was used for in the past. The museum needs your help to figure it out!
  1. Look closely at Container in the form of a bull bearing a pot. Do you think it was used in the same way as this kettle? What do you see that makes you say that?
  2. If Animal Vessel was something you used every day, how would you use it? If it wasn’t in a museum, where do you think it would be?
Photo by Michał Parzuchowski.

Animal Inspiration

This photo shows a bull in Iran’s Gilan Province. Why do you think an artist would make a container in the shape of a bull?

From the time of Animal Vessel’s creation to today, cattle have been important to farming across the Middle East. They have also been important to the Zoroastrian religion in that area.

Look around the room. Do you see any other works of art shaped like a cow or bull? What do you think inspired the artists who made those artworks?

Photo by Foad Memariaan.
Listen to Seattle chef Rachel Yang discuss this artwork.
Produced by Acoustiguide © Seattle Art Museum
Back To Map