Hemispherical bowl

Object Details

• Description

  Small hemispherical bowl with plain rim, interior plain. The exterior is entirely decorated with figures carved in relief, with a gilded background surface. The decoration consists of five figured scenes each framed within arches formed by two rows of bead molding connected by decorated columns. A palmette rises above each column.

  In the primary scene, a male and female are seated on a couch, grasping a wreath. In the scene to the right a servant, his face covered, holding vessels, approaches the couple. In the third scene are two wrestlers; a third figure, perhaps an acrobat, is shown behind them. The fourth scene consists of two male figures playing a board game, probably backgammon. In the final scene are two musicians: a male figure plays the drum, and a female plays an arched harp. At the base of the bowl is a central roundel formed by bead molding, encircling the bust of a female figure who holds a flower.

  Weight: 481 g.

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  Animal-Shaped Vessels from the Ancient World: Feasting with the Gods, Heroes and Kings (September 7, 2018 to January 6, 2019)

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

  Le Perses Sassanides ou les Fastes d'un empire oublie (The Persian Sasanians, Luxury Goods from a Forgotten Empire)" (September 15, 2006 to May 20, 2007)

  Asian Games: The Art of Contest (February 26 to 15 May 2005)

  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

  800s, 600s

• Topic

  Gilding, Hammering, Art, Playing, Carving, Flowers, Chasing, Metal-work, Silver, Ancient Near Eastern Art, Music, Games, Sasanian period (ca. 224 - 651), Woman

• Culture

  Iranians, Middle Easterners

• Object Type

  Vessels (containers)

• On View

  Yes