[ΚΕΝΟ]



Ovoid rhyton

Π16432
Clay
Incomplete, mended and restored.
Height: 24.5 cm.
Zakros
Palace, Building Γ, Room Ο
Late Bronze Age. Neopalatial period, Late Minoan ΙI period.:
1500-1450 BC:
Gallery:
IV
Case:
43
Exhibition thematic unit:
Late Bronze Age - Neopalatial period (1700-1450 BC). The New Palaces. The zenith of Minoan civilisation
Palace of Zakros
Description
This ovoid rhyton from the palace of Zakros is decorated with a band of running spirals on the shoulder, parallel and wavy lines and a foliate pattern. It was found in a room in the palace together with other vessels including an almost identical rhyton, with which it may have been used as a pair in libation rituals in the context of cult practice. Rhyta of this type present close morphological similarities to modified ostrich eggs used as rhyta, which may have been used for the same purpose in the Minoan ceremonial. Besides pouring libations, these vessels were also used to decant and filter liquids (perhaps wine and olive oil) into larger vessels, by fitting the narrow tip into the mouth of amphorae and jug, with precision and perhaps calculating the amount transferred.
Bibliography:
Platon, N. Zakros. Το Νέον Μινωϊκόν Ανάκτορον. Η εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία, Athens, 1974.
Author:
I. N.


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