Sasanian ewer with dancing women
Type:
Ewers
Date:
Sixth to seventh century
Location or Findspot (Modern-Day Country):
Iran
Medium:
Gilt-silver
Dimensions:
Height of 34 cm
Description:
Women dancing within arcades decorate this Late Sasanian gilt-silver ewer (pear-shaped pouring vessel). Each holds symbolic or ceremonial objects, a decorative motif common in Sasanian art of this period. The women may be inspired by (or one may represent) Anahita, the Zoroastrian goddess of water and fertility. One of the figures on this ewer herself holds a ewer. She is in the midst of pouring its contents into the mouth of a small panther. Such ewers may have been filled with wine during religious festivals.
Relevant Textbook Chapter(s):
3
Repository and Online Resources:
• Read more about this ewer on the website of the Metropolitan Museum.
• See a Sasanian plate with the goddess Anahita on the website of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
• See a contemporary ewer with dancing women in the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.
Tags:
Sasanian,
Persian,
Late Antique,
Western Asian,
Metalwork,
Women,
Animals,
Food and drink
