- Museum number
- 124088
- Description
-
Low hemispherical silver bowl; raised from sheet, thickest at the rim; plain interior; exterior decorated with four equally spaced medallion-like roundels, each containing a figural scene; from the central space at the bottom radiate four leaves, each passing between two roundels, and surmounted by two divergent stems with scrolled ends; from each stem issues a small lateral stem similarly scrolled, the two meeting and enclosing an independent leaf; the four long leaves rise from stems meeting at right angles and forming a cross, between the arms of which are four C-scrolls; the roundels contain (1) a female (?) figure facing right, wearing a long loose ankle-length gown, ribbons flowing behind, standing in front of a fire altar with a stepped base, surmounted by a bird, with his/her left foot resting upon a spherical object and holding an unidentified object, possibly a cylindrical vessel, in the left hand, but with the right raised and a forefinger pointing towards the bird; (2) a similar figure, standing to the left, behind whom is a floral scroll apparently composed of palmette elements, right arm by side and left hand raised; (3) much destroyed, showing the head and bust of a similar figure, right hand holding what appears to be a hemispherical bowl, with a tall plant in front; (4) a bearded man wearing a short belted tunic and close-fitting cap walks left, with stooped back, holding a tall staff with curled top in his right hand, a large crouching hare in front; almost complete, two parts missing, and one triangular section snipped away in antiquity; heavy scratches on interior.
- Production date
- 5thC
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 15.20 centimetres
-
Height: 4 centimetres (approx)
- Curator's comments
- Hughes & Hall (1979) observe that the XRF analysis of the silver gives heavily debased composition more characteristic of hard solder than most Sasanian silver vessels. The scene is presumably that of one or more fables, with the most important scene being in the central roundel which includes a fire altar.
- Location
- On display (G52/dc7)
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2016, 19 Mar-29 May, National Museum, Delhi, The Everlasting Flame
2013 Oct-Dec, Brunei, SOAS, 'Everlasting Flame: Zoroastrianism in History and Imagination'
2007- BM, G52/IRAN/7
2006 13 Apr-Dec, BM, G2/168/4
1995-2005 17 Nov-1 Jul, BM, G52/IRAN/22/15
1994 16 Jun-23 Dec, BM, G49/IRAN/22/12
1975-ca 1990 Jul-, BM, Iranian Room [IR], case 20, no. 4
1960s BM, Persian Landing [PL], case 3
- Condition
- Semi-complete; parts missing; heavy scratches on interior.
- Acquisition date
- 1906
- Department
- Middle East
- BM/Big number
- 124088
- Registration number
- 1906,0626.2
- Additional IDs
-
Treasure/PAS number: OT.202 (not part of the Oxus Treasure)