Rhytons Hermès Carré and its Inspiration

The Rhytons Hermès carré was designed by Karin Swildens and issued in 1975. 

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So what are these “horns” all about? Are they gunpowder flasks (that is what I initially thought :-)) or some kind of a brass instrument? 

Well, neither, they are ancient drinking flasks.

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This particular silver rhyton terminating in the forepart of a ram dates back to ca. 5th century B.C. and comes from today’s Iran and is on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Used to enjoy libations both at home or for ceremonial purposes, a rhyton could be of any shape and size, but typically in Greek times, a rhyton was small like a cup and in the shape of an animal’s head.  Very popular throughout Eurasia, Persia, Greece and the Balkan region, rhytons were not meant to be set down.

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Karin Swildens displays about sixteen rhytons in her design.  Each ancient rhyton, is in her case, in the shape of a horn beautifully adorned with primarily animals.   

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Rhytons with caps in the shape of bird heads.

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