Sassanid elliptical bowl

Sassanid elliptical bowl

Iran, 6th century

In silver, boat-shaped, with a deep center, silky-smooth sides, slightly crusty patina. 15 x 5 cm Provenance : Former collection of Raymond Michel Hincker, (1925-2003), acquired from Galerie Serres, Paris. Reference: A similar ovoid bowl is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art under acquisition number 67.201. The Sassanid Empire, which ruled from Afghanistan to Iraq from the 3rd to the 7th century A.D., was renowned for the high quality of its ceremonial metal tableware, used for both banquets and religious rituals. Sassanid artistic culture in turn spread along the Silk Road, influencing metalwork in western Iran and the Caspian Sea, and bowls like these have been found as far away as the east coast of China. A finely hammered Late Sassanian boat-shaped silver bowl, featuring a smooth, curvy contour that is accentuated by the elliptical form.