This beautiful Greek bird-shaped rhyton, made of terracotta and dating to the 5th century BC, is an example of ritual pottery used in Ancient Greece. Rhyta were zoomorphic or anthropomorphic vessels used for ceremonial libations, generally associated with religious or festive contexts. The design of this piece stands out for its representation of a bird, whose elongated head with a functional hole suggests a use for the controlled pouring of liquids, probably wine or milk, during rituals. The double opening and curved handle reflect carefully balanced workmanship, which made it easy to handle. The bird motif in Greek pottery can be related to the symbolism of certain gods, such as Aphrodite or Demeter, for whom doves and other birds were sacred. In addition, the streamlined shape of the vessel evokes the style of archaic and classical Greek pottery, in which artisans sought to integrate functionality and symbolism in their creations. Parallels to rhyton with animal forms are found in neighbouring cultures, such as Thracian and Persian, although in Greek pottery this typology maintained a strong symbolic and festive character. This type of piece has been found in funerary and domestic contexts, suggesting both ritual and decorative use. Acquired from a Spanish private collection, R.P, 1960. -The piece includes an authenticity certificate. The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged, this process can take between 2 and 4 weeks. IMPORTANT: Due to the new laws on the export of archaeological pieces, we have decided to NO LONGER sell outside the European territory for the following countries: SWITZERLAND & UNITED STATES of AMERICA. For other destinations out of European territory: all our items will be shipped after obtaining a definitive LICENSE EXPORTATION by the Ministry of Culture of Spain. We inform our clients that it may take between 4-8 weeks. According to Spanish legislation, items sent outside the European Union are subjected to export taxes. The taxes will be added to the invoice, at the buyer's expense. These export fees are fixed on the final auction price, and the tax rate is not applied directly to the total value of the item to be exported, but rather the different percentages by sections are applied to it: Up to 6,000 euros: 5%. / From 6.001 to 60.000 euros: 10 %. Please note that for far destination (Asia, middle east etc.. ), there will be an additional cost for the shipping.