finger-ring

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Object Type
Museum number: 124012
Title: Series: Oxus Treasure
Description: Gold finger-ring: with a large bezel decorated in relief with a coiled figure of a lion, the legs of which extend around the hoop on either side. On the bezel are triangular and crescentic cavities for separate coloured inlays that are now missing. The D-shaped hoop is slightly crushed. Openwork.
Cultures/periods: Achaemenid (?); Scythian (?)
Production date: 5thC BC-4thC BC (about)
Findspot: Excavated/Findspot: Takht-i Kuwad (?)
Materials
Technique: inlaid; embossed
Dimensions: Diameter: 1.70 - 2.30 centimetres (hoop); Diameter: 2.50 centimetres (bezel); Weight: 10.50 grammes; Weight: 167 grains
Curator's comments: The twisting and distorting of animals into impossible circular shapes is a characteristic feature of Scythian art, whose influence may be detected here. Related to Scythian "Animal Style".
Bibliographic references: Dalton 1964a / The treasure of the Oxus with other examples of early oriental metal-work (pp. 29-30, fig. 60, cat. no. 111); Rice TT 1965a / Ancient Arts of Central Asia (fig.124, p.138); Curtis & Kruszynski 2002a / Ancient Caucasian and Related Material in The British Museum (no. 171, fig. 41, pl. 15); Curtis & Tallis 2005 / Forgotten Empire: The world of Ancient Persia (cat. 182, p. 146)
Location: On display (G52/dc3)
Exhibition history: Exhibited: 2006 7 Mar-11 Jun, Barcelona, Fundacion La Caixa, 'L'imperi Oblidat' 2005-2006 Sept-Jan, London, BM, 'Forgotten Empire' 1995-2005 17 Nov-Aug BM, G52/IRAN/29b 1994 16 Jun-23 Dec BM, G49/IRAN/29b 1989 Temporary display, BM, Room 35 (Hinton St Mary mosaic staircase) 1975-ca 1990 Jul- BM, Iranian Room [IR], OT case 1931-ca 1939 BM, Room 20: Persian Room 1923-1931 BM, King Edward VII Building: Franks Display, 1900- BM, Gold Ornament Room
Condition: Hoop slightly crushed
Subjects
Acquisition name: Bequeathed by: Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks; From: Capt F C Burton
Previous owner
Acquisition date: 1897
Department: Middle East
BM/Big number: 124012
Registration number: 1897,1231.111
Additional IDs: Miscellaneous number: AF.46; Miscellaneous number: OT 111 (catalogue no)
Conservation: Treatment: 09 Dec 2004; Treatment: 09 Dec 2004

Free entry

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