Head of a Bull

This bull protome (a decorative element representing the head and neck of a human or animal) would have been attached to an enormous cauldron. The bull may have had wings, emerging from the neck and now lost, that would have been connected to the cauldron through rivets. Several other protomes of this type would have encircled the upper portion of one cauldron. Similar vessels are primarily associated with the kingdom of Urartu but are sometimes found in other contexts.

The bull is ornamented with curled locks along its forehead that are of traditionally Urartian style. Although often presumed to be from the fortress of Toprakkale, this object could have been from a number of Urartian settlements throughout the area of Van and its neighboring regions.

Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

Kalebjian Freres, Paris, [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Joseph Brummer, Paris and New York, 1928, by purchase [Brummer inv. no. P5463]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1929, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.