The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of September 15, 2026

A tan and reddish-brown ceramic vessel features two rounded bodies joined on three stout legs. A thick, twisted handle connects two flared necks, while a long, trough-like spout projects forward. A small animal head sits where the handle meets the front neck. Across the unglazed surface, muted reddish-brown slip creates geometric patterns and stylized figures of horned goats.

Three-Part Pitcher

c. 800–700 BCE

Iran, Luristan

earthenware, unglazed slip
Overall: 18.1 x 17 x 21.5 cm (7 1/8 x 6 11/16 x 8 7/16 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1942.1081
Location: 102A Ancient Near East

Did You Know?

The ram’s head was created separately before being attached to the spout.

Description

This unusual tripartite pitcher is made of three jugs joined together, a twisted handle, and a ram’s head atop a spout. Four feet connect to the pitchers, adding stability and an animal-like form. Ibexes, diamonds, and crosses, all painted in red slip, decorate the clay surface. This work is likely Baba Jan III ware from the Iron Age site Baba Jan in northwestern Iran. The pitcher is functional but may have served a ritual purpose.
  • Cleveland Museum of Art, and Jenifer Neils. The World of Ceramics: Masterpieces from the Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland: The Museum in cooperation with Indiana University Press, 1982. Mentioned and reproduced: p. 3, fig. 3
  • Juxtapositions. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (September 11-October 10, 1965).
    What in the World. University Museum, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (organizer) (March 1-October 1, 1960).
  • {{cite web|title=Three-Part Pitcher|url=false|author=|year=c. 800–700 BCE|access-date=15 September 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1942.1081