Altgriechisch Thrakischer Bronzenrhyton mit Hirschprotome, H. 20,0 cm, 400–450 v. Chr. - 20 cm

A GREEK THARCIAN BRONZE RHYTON WITH STAG PROTOME
CIRCA FIRST HALF 4TH CENTURY BC

CULTURE
Greek, Thracian Empire.

PERIOD
Circa First Half 4th Century BC.
Circa 400 BC to 450 BC.

MEASUREMENTS
Circa 20,0 cm height.

WEIGHT
Circa 563 gram (total weight).
Horn Circa 303 gram.
Part circa 30 gram.
Stag Protome 230 gram.

MATERIAL
Bronze.

CONDITION
The Stag Protome and fries having excellent details. The Rhyton has broken into three separated piece in ancient times. Some parts are still missing and lost to until now. Overall with attractive green and brown patina. Present time restored from the original parts, with filling in the smaller missing parts, furthermore the bronze is conserved. See the photos for details on the restoration and conservation status.

PROVENANCE
From a private collection in southern Germany, before 1970`s.
Previously collection of H. Ivanov Dimitrov, Neuenstein, Germany, acquired in the 1970`s to 2013.
Thence European collection acquired from the above in 2013 on the German art market.

DESCRIPTION
The slender horn-shaped vessel terminating in a stag protome. Dating from the First Half 4th Century BC. This bronze Rhyton is a fine example of the enduring influence of Thracian Culture and undoubtedly made by Greeks, in Greece or in Thrace itself, and purchased by Thracians.

Decorated with acorn leaves and acorn nuts motive (vegetative decoration) on the frieze around the flaring rim. The horn is decorated with cannelures. Still remains a small spout between the forelegs, for ritual use.

The Greek Thracian Bronze Rhyton is broke in ancient time into 3 pieces, some lower parts from the horn-shaped vessel are lost. Unless, the shape of the Rhyton is well preserved. The Stag Protome and the decoration with acorn leaves and acorn nuts motive (vegetative decoration) on the frieze around the flaring rim, are still in excellent condition of its details.

The Greek Thracian Bronze Rhyton has strong stylistic influents of an comparable Thracian Silver Rhyton from the Borovo Treasure (see References). It has an comparable style of acorn leaves and acorn nuts motive (vegetative decoration) on the frieze around the flaring rim. And also the horn is decorated with cannelures. Mounted on a display stand.

Ceremonial vessels of this type, known as a Rhyton, originated in Persia before finding their way into the Greek world and beyond. Made from pottery or metal, they were filled with wine, which was then poured from a small hole in the lower part of the vessel; in this case, between the lion's front legs. The wine might be poured as an offering, poured into a different vessel for drinking, or drunk directly from the Rhyton.


CATALOGUE NOTES
The Thracians were rich and hired Greek artists for their luxury items. These pieces are made by Greeks undoubtedly, in Greece or in Thrace itself, and purchased by Thracians. So it finds from Thrace, perhaps made there, but the artists hand is Greek.

First Half of 4th century BC. can fine correct. However Greek work, considering the quality. Parallels I encountered in the catalog "Gold of Thraker" 1980: dierprotoom, high level of cannellures and vegetative frieze. Attached please find zwei scans of the parallels, in a more luxurious version (silver and gold).

Greek Bronze Rhyton with Stag Protome. Circa first half 4th Century BC

Made by a Greek workshop in Greece or Thracian and probably used by the Thracians.
Greek / Thracian Empire, circa first half 4th Century B.C.

For a close parallel showing the exact spout on the front of the body: see Miho Museum in Japan: https://www.gaido.jp/clickalbum/103904.html#gid=1&pid=5

or : https://mihograndama.jp/zh/news/20201011/index.html

or : https://www.miho.jp/booth/html/artcon/00002005.htm

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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