Rhytons

These marble accents occur at each side of the wing motives at the east and west ends of the Rayburn House Office Building. The designer, a member of the architectural firm who designed the building, modeled the rhytons after the ancient Greek drinking horn with a mythical chimera with bended knees. The ram's head is representative of Wisdom, Power, Strength of Purpose, Defender of Right. The horn, or cornucopia, is the classic symbol of abundance and plenty. The rhytons rest on a calyx of water leaves.