Plate

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Object Details

Description

From a line about 1 cm. above the foot ring, extending to the rim, the exterior of the plate is vertically fluted, the fluting radiating from base to rim. A second concentric gilded band encircles most of the plate interior, which is almost entirely finished with a honeycombed surface. In the center a small medallion, defined by a gilded band, encloses a recumbent ram or wild sheep shown in profile facing right, carved in low relief.

Weight: 489.6 g.

Inscriptions

Within ring foot, inscription in Middle Persian, giving the name of the owner and the weight of the vessel: "zwlp'n S 30 W ZWZN 2, "Zurwan/Zorban, 30 staters and 3 drahms." The reading and translation of the inscription were made by Philippe Gignoux, École Practique des Haute Études, Paris, in a letter dated 5 September 1990.

Collection

Arthur M. Sackler Collection

Exhibition History

Feast Your Eyes: A Taste for Luxury in Ancient Iran (February 4, 2012 - ongoing)

Glass, Gilding, and Grand Design: Art of Sasanian Iran (224-642) (February 14 to May 20, 2007)

Le Perses Sassanides ou les Fastes d'un empire oublie (The Persian Sasanians, Luxury Goods from a Forgotten Empire)" (September 15, 2006 to May 20, 2007)

Les Perses sassanides (224-642): Fastes d'un empire oublie (September 15 to December 30, 2006)

Discovery and Deceit: Archaeology and the Forger's Craft (October 11, 1996 to May 18, 1997)

Luxury Arts of the Silk Route Empires (May 9, 1993 to January 28, 2007)

Nomads and Nobility: Art from the Ancient Near East (September 28, 1987 to November 1, 1992)

Credit Line

Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

Date

600-700

Period

Sasanian period

Accession Number

S1987.125

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Vessel

Medium

Silver and gilt

Dimensions

H x W x D: 3.7 x 20.5 x 20.5 cm (1 7/16 x 8 1/16 x 8 1/16 in)

Origin

Iran

On View

East Building (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery), Gallery 21: Feast Your Eyes: A Taste for Luxury in Ancient Iran

Related Online Resources

Google Arts & Culture

See more items in

National Museum of Asian Art

Data Source

National Museum of Asian Art

Topic

gilding

chasing

hammering

carving

metal

silver

sheep

Sasanian period (ca. 224 - 651)