Medallion

Object Details

• Label

  An enthroned figure, holding a goblet and surrounded by attendants, appears on the obverse of this medallion. The reverse depicts a royal rider hunting with falcons. The two scenes represent the concepts of feasting (bazm) and fighting or hunting (razm), associated with the Persian ideals of kingship. Few examples of such imagery in gold have survived, since gold was often melted down for reuse.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Gold: The Asian Touch (September 10, 2005 to February 20, 2006)

  Iraq and China: Ceramics, Trade, and Innovation (December 4, 2004 to July 17, 2005)

  Art of the Near East (August 21, 1977 to December 14, 1979)

  Near Eastern Art (June 15, 1973 to May 7, 1975)

  2500 Years of Persian Art—Paintings, Metalwork (February 10, 1972 to June 15, 1973)

  Near Eastern Art—Paintings, Metalwork (August 18, 1967 to February 10, 1972)

  Near Eastern Art (January 1, 1963 to August 18, 1967)

  Persian Art (January 1, 1963 to September 3, 1963)

  Centennial Exhibition, Galleries 6 and 7 (February 25, 1956 to April 10, 1962)

  Untitled Exhibition, Islamic Manuscripts, 1955 (April 12, 1955 to December 16, 1955)

  Untitled Exhibition, Islamic Arts, 1947 (October 6, 1947 to February 25, 1956)

  Untitled Exhibition, Islamic Manuscripts, 1947 (October 6, 1947 to February 25, 1956)

  Untitled Exhibition, Islamic Manuscripts (May 1, 1945 to September 25, 1947)

  Exhibition of Persian Art (April to May 1940)

  Untitled Exhibition, Persian and Near Eastern Art (May 5, 1933 to September 24, 1947)

• Origin

  Iran

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Jewelry and Ornament

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1100s, 1000s

• Topic

  Gold, Art, Hunting, Arts of the Islamic World, Falconry, Ruler, Attendant, Chasing, Falcon, Metal-work

• Culture

  Muslims, Iranians

• Object Type

  Ornaments, Jewelry