About Rhytons

Rhytons are a form of vessel common in Eurasia from the Balkans to Persia and used from the late Bronze Age through Classical Antiquity. Their form, fundamentally, is that of a drinking horn decorated with an animal head at the apex. Often there is some kind of scene depicted on the sides. Rhytons were made of a range of materials, including metals and ceramics. During Classical Antiquity, the tip could be perforated with a hole, allowing liquid to be poured out in a tight stream, or it could be solid. In any case, rhytons were originally designed so that they couldn't be set down when containing liquid.

My work employs the rhyton form in its unperforated "party mug" variant. In many cases I have acknowledged the feedback I have received by creating some means to set the piece down while in use. I have given some forelimbs to allow them to sit upright tripod-style (akin to ancient Iranian rhytons), of by placing them on a thrown foot, goblet-style

The potters of classical antiquity would sculpt a patrix or master head from which (once bisque fired) a set of molds could be created. New heads could then be cast in the mold from rolled sheets. My experience shows that this is sufficient to capture the general shape of the head, but that details need to be reapplied, making each head an original piece. The cast head is then joined with a thrown cup and handle attached, and underglaze design created.