Lid

Object Details

• Description

  This hollow circular lid preserves one of the original rivets or pins for the four perforations spaced evenly around the lid circumference at slightly varying distances from the edge. The inner surface is plain, with much green corrosion. The exterior surface of this hollow roundel, including the sides, is entirely gilded; on the upper surface is carved decoration in low relief. A central medallion with rope-like border encircles a duck facing right. Above and below the medallion extend vines inhabited by birds; to the sides are two animals, a hunting dog and a jackal, eating bunches of grapes.

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

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

  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)

  The Royal Hunter: Art of the Sasanian Empire (Winter 1978)

• Origin

  Iran

• Credit Line

  Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

• Type

  Vessel

• On View

  Sackler Gallery 21: Feast Your Eyes: A Taste for Luxury in Ancient Iran

• 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.

  The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  600s, 500s

• Topic

  Gilding, Hammering, Art, Inlay (process), Riveting, Carving, Chasing, Ducks, Metal-work, Silver, Animals, Ancient Near Eastern Art, Dogs, Sasanian period (ca. 224 - 651)

• Culture

  Iranians, Middle Easterners

• Object Type

  Vessels (containers)

• On View

  Yes