Cup shaped like the head of a lion

The national museum of Damascus – متحف دمشق الوطني

Description

The bottom of this one-handled cup is in the form of a lion’s head. The eyes are deeply carved, while the other features, such as the whiskers, are incised. A similar lion cup, found in 1962 with an Ugaritic inscription dedicating the vessel to “Resheph, the protector,” dates from the thirteenth century B.c. The inspiration for these vessels can be found in the West: other animal-headed rhyta of Mycenaean style have been found in Ugarit and Minat-al-Beida. Such vessels were produced still earlier in Cyprus and Crete.(*)

(Literature: Cf. C.F.A. Schaeffer Ugaritica VII (1978) 149 / Syria 19 (1938) Plate XIX)

  • Excavated from: Ras-Shamra (Ugarit)

  • Date: 1600-1400 BC

  • Material: Terracotta

  • Item Dimensions: Height: 16.2 cm

  • Archaeological Mission:

  • National Museum Of Damascus (2011) – Museum No.: Damascus S 4217 (RS. 52. 16. 52)

  • Index Dam 044-2

Excavation Site Location

References

  • Demargne, Pierre. Die Geburt der griechischen Kunst: Die Kunst im ägäischen Raum von vorgeschichtlicher Zeit bis zum Anfang des 6. vorchristlichen Jahrhunderts. Universum der Kunst 6. Munich: C. H. Beck, 1965, fig. 219.

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Credits

Ebla To Damascus  An exhibition from the  Directorate General of Antiquities and museums: Syrian Arab Republic. Edited by Harvey Weiss –  Smithsonian institution Travelling Exhibition Service Washington, D.C, 1985 – Book Published with the assistance of the J.Paul Getty Trust.

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