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- Museum number
- 1996,1001.1
- Description
-
Incised Pinctada Margaritifera (black lip pearl oyster = Linnaeaus 1758) shell with drilled dotted design of a horse and rider in profile, facing to the right. The bearded horseman wears a cuirass and headdress, with streamers flying behind and holds a lance. The horse has a ribbon on its head harness; repaired.
- Production date
- 3rdC (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 13.10 centimetres
-
Thickness: 1.50 centimetres (max)
-
Width: 13.70 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- Decorated in a style similar to graffito found at Dura Europos and an early Sasanian rock relief at Firzuabad. Similar decorated shells but with different designs have been found in Sasanian contexts at Veh Ardashir (Coche) and as far away as Merv and Georgia.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2014 -2015, 20 Sep - 4 Jan, Leeds City Museum, Leeds 'Roman Empire: Power + People'
2014, 15 May - 31 Aug, Herbert Museum, Coventry 'Roman Empire: Power + People'
2014, 25 Jan - 27 Apr, Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Norwich 'Roman Empire: Power + People'
2013 - 2014, 21 Sep - 05 Jan, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Bristol 'Roman Empire: Power + People'
2012 24 May-30 Sep, London, BM, 'The horse: from Arabia to Royal Ascot'
2010 29 May-15 Oct, USA, Kentucky Horse Park, 'A Gift from the Desert'
- Condition
- Fair; repaired.
- Acquisition date
- 1996
- Acquisition notes
- Christie's South Kensington, 3rd July 1996 (Lot 485).
- Department
- Middle East
- Registration number
- 1996,1001.1
