Very rare Rhyton type, Hammedan, Old Sassanian. Since bronze requires continual sharpening to maintain a useful sharp edge, whetstones were a common tool in Luristan, used to hone the blades of daggers, swords, and spears. Whetstone handles were often cast into representations of animals. This silver ram was a dramatic choice with its curled horns. In almost all cases, a loop was created to suspend the whetstone. More often the animal was made of bronze which makes this piece so much more unusual. Mounted on custom Lucite stand.