Esnontos (Urn)

Object/Artifact

-

The Civilization of Llhuros

ESNONTOS (Urn) | circa 1966-71 | Photo by Ann Cady, 2024 | ©2026 Norman Daly Art: This image displays an ancient, dark bronze vessel with a large, round body and two protruding handles on either side, resembling animal heads (hippo and lion) Its rough, textured surface and craftsmanship, suggesting historical significance or ceremonial use, possibly in rituals or as a utilitarian item.
ESNONTOS (Urn) | circa 1966-71 | Photo by Ann Cady, 2024 | ©2026 Norman Daly Art

This image displays an ancient, dark bronze vessel with a large, round body and two protruding handles on either side, resembling animal heads (hippo and lion) Its rough, textured surface and craftsmanship, suggesting historical significance or ceremonial use, possibly in rituals or as a utilitarian item.

Name/Title

Esnontos (Urn)

Entry/Object ID

COL.70

Description

"Esnontos" (urns) were most commonly used as water containers, although other uses are attested. Typically, the body was hammered metal and the animal-headed handles (hippo and lion) were cast separately and attached by soldering. The heavy, bulbous proportions and absence of tongue are typical of the latter part of the Archaic period, but the naturalistic rendering of the animals indicate that a Lamplӧ dating would be anachronistic.

Category

Middle Period, Uoyab

Made/Created

Artist

Norman Daly

Date made

circa 1966 - 1971

Place

Academic Institution

Cornell University

City

Ithaca, New York

Continent

North America

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Region

Asia Minor

Culture/Tribe

Llhuros

Dimensions

Height

10-1/4 in

Width

10-1/2 in

Depth

7-1/2 in

Materials

Material

Bronze

Material Notes

Fictional medium as described by Norman Daly in the 1972 catalog and exhibition tags. The actual media is plaster cast with a painted faux surface and hand-sculpted animal head handles (hippo and lion)

Acquisition

Notes

This object is a unique element of the "Civilization of Llhuros" collection given to the Cornell University Anthropology Collaboratory in 2026.

Exhibitions

Akron Art Institute (1972)
Cornell University | A.D. White Museum of Art (1972)
Cornell University, Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art (2004)
Indianapolis Art Museum (1972)
Istanbul Biennial, 16th | "The Seventh Continent" (2019)
La Panacée, centre d'art contemporain | "Plurivers" | Montpellier, France (2017-18)
Memorial Art Gallery | University of Rochester (1972)
Roberson Center for Art and Science, Binghamton, NY (1974)
Romische-Germanisches Museum | "Projekt '74" | Cologne Germany (1974)
SUNY Albany | Art Gallery (1973}
University of Pennsylvania Art Museum, Philadelphia (1974)