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submitted 5 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[-] [email protected] 10 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

I once wrote a short paper on rhytons and similar for art history class. The general category is called "plastic" sculpture if anyone is interested. From what I recall they were often used to aerate wine, which was poured through and collected in a wide kylix or similar. This was likely representative of even older traditions of animal sacrifice with the wine substituting for blood, which is why a bull's head is such a common shape for a rhyton. Over time some of them became more complex and ornamental rather than functional, and those are often the most beautiful museum examples.

It was actually a bit difficult to find information at the university library at the time so I had to go to the specific art museum library. And with a quick glance online it appears some of the info out there may be wrong. e.g. Wikipedia says "Rhytons modeled after animals were designed to make it look like the animal was drinking when the vessel was being filled", which doesn't really make any sense for the shape.

[-] [email protected] 5 points 4 days ago

Rhytons modeled after animals were designed to make it look like the animal was drinking when the vessel was being filled

It also says citation needed after

[-] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago

Yep, I'm glad someone else found that sus.

[-] [email protected] 9 points 5 days ago
[-] [email protected] 21 points 5 days ago

TFW you realize how much stuff is out there that you've never heard of

[-] [email protected] 6 points 5 days ago
this post was submitted on 31 May 2025
159 points (99.4% liked)

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