The rhyton consists of three major sections: the head, front section of the body and rear section of the body. Each section is hammered from one piece of silver. The design is by repoussé and chasing. The head also contains the following added parts each made of hammered silver: two ears, two horns and two bells attached from the points of the horns with wire hoops. Ears and horns extend for some distance into the head of the antelope attached to the head by solder. The front part of the body contains a spout, located between the front knees. There is a punched inscription in Middle Persian on the right rear haunch, which gives the name and weight of the vessel. It is likely the case that this silver vessel was originally commissioned in honour of a Sasanian king.

Exhibited

Sasanian Silver: Late Antique and Early Mediaeval Arts of Luxury from Iran, The University of Michigan Museum of Art, Michigan, USA, August – September 1967.

Published

Sasanian Silver: Late Antique and Early Mediaeval Arts of Luxury from Iran, The University of Michigan Museum of Art, Michigan, USA, 1967, p132, cat. 49.

Provenance

With J.J. Klejman Gallery, New York, from at least 1967.
Private Collection of Faith-Dorian Wright (1934-2016) and Martin Wright (1930-2018), New York, acquired from the above on 22nd September 1971.
ALR: S00207447
With IADAA certificate, this item has been checked against the Interpol database.

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