Rhyton in the shape of an eagle. Painted baked clay. From Kültepe (near Kayseri), 19th - early 18th century BC.

Rhyton = a container from which fluids were intended to be drunk, or else poured in some ceremony such as libation.

This kind of vessel illustrates the high quality of Anatolian craftsmanship at the time of the Assyrian merchant-colonies (also called ‘Colony period’ and ‘Period of the Anatolian City States’).

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Source: ‘Museum of Anatolian Civilisations’ & Wikipedia.