Unknown artist, Greek

This fantastic creature, known as a sea bull, would have decorated a large bronze vessel. Most likely one of four identical sea bulls, it would probably have been placed at the terminal point of an arching handle. The sea bull is intricately cast, its eyes and horns overlaid with silver foil. The presence of silver indicates that the vessel to which this ornament was attached was not meant for everyday use, and was probably either a votive offering or a grave gift. The Greeks, and later Romans, believed that sea bulls would lead the dead to a blessed afterlife.