Wonderfull steatite rhyton in the shape of a bull's head from the Little Palace of Knossos. The horns were gilded, the eyes made of rock crystal and the muzzle of mother - of - pearl, ca 16 th century. It was a libation vessel used in sacred rituals. It was filled with the appropriate liquid through the hole in the neck and emptied during the ritual through another hole in the nostrils.
One of the most important of these stone vessels and certainly one of the masterpieces of the Museum in Iraklion is this rhyton in the shape of a bull's head found in the Little Palace of Knossos.
The art of stone carving, which had suffered a decline in the Old Palace Period, was revived and perfected in New Palace times. Many fine works of art were produced this time.

View the original at the Heraklion Museum.