Iran, Sasanian Empire (224–651 CE) / 200–325 CE
Horse-Shaped Drinking Vessel
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Horse-Shaped Drinking Vessel as metalwork (Iran, Sasanian Empire (224–651 CE) · 200–325 CE).
The horse was a favorite artistic subject in ancient Iran, where horse breeding flourished. This muscular Sasanian stallion was descended from the royal and sacred Nisean breed of the Achaemenian Persians.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this metalwork as silver, partially gilt.
The museum's collection notes: The horse was a favorite artistic subject in ancient Iran, where horse breeding flourished. This muscular Sasanian stallion was descended from the royal and sacred Nisean breed of the Achaemenian Persians. Although Sasanian horse trappings were elaborate, they did not include stirrups for mounting. In this rendition, the steed lies still, as camels in the Near East do today, waiting for its rider to mount. The medallions on each shoulder contain busts, perhaps of rulers of different parts of the Sasanian Empire, holding their rings of authority.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtHorse-Shaped Drinking VesselOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.