Why was this Ewer made and how was it used?
This ewer was made for the transportation of liquids. Ewers from this time period were used to transport wine for drinking and water for bathing. These objects could be used daily for diverse needs. The Ewer in Chicken Shape in the National Museum of Vietnamese History, Hanoi, Vietnam, makes a nice comparison, both in terms of shape and style, to the Worcester Art Museum's ewer.
Many portable artworks were made in the shape of animals, such as the Reclining Cat, made in Greater Iran in the 1100s or 1200s. While these household objects do not serve the same function, they share an artistic impulse to mimic the form of a living creature.
Erica Belden, Class of 2026, College of the Holy Cross
