Ancient Near East / Central Asia, Sasanian (Sassanian / Sassanid) Empire, ca. 6th to 7th century CE. An incredible gilded 93% silver bowl with skillfully hammered, remarkably thin walls finely decorated with a profusion of repousse motifs. On the exterior walls the widest register features a band of marvelous gilded birds, perhaps pheasants, in profile - each one holding a berried sprig in its beak and meticulously delineated with feathered plumage against a stippled ground with narrow diagonally fretted borders above and below. Above them is a border of foliage that meanders around the vessel beneath the rim. Below is a register of gilded berried vines followed by two bands of opposing stylized crest-like motifs and another diagonally fretted border. Opulence and abundance abound on this amazing piece! Precious metal quality: 93% silver with gilding. Size: 9.1" W x 1.5" H (23.1 cm x 3.8 cm); total weight: 253.7 grams

But wait, that's not all! The interior of the vessel is also decorated. From the rim, we have a wide register of berried vines, so skillfully rendered with a continuous swag of fruit clusters, followed by a band of scrolling foliage, and finally two bands of opposing crest-like motifs similar to those presented on the exterior walls.

The Sasanian elite valued beautiful metal objects, especially those made of silver and gold. Popular themes referenced abundance, hunting, and winemaking like this example. Sasanian artistic culture, in turn, spread along the Silk Road, influencing metalwork in Persia and the Caspian Sea, and bowls like this one have been found as far afield as the eastern coast of China.

A silver Sassanian bowl with animal and berry motifs, just about an inch more in diameter, sold for $192,000 at Sotheby's New York (07 June 2007, lot 93).

Provenance: private California, USA collection, by descent, moved from Germany in 1997, originally collected in the 1970s in Hamburg, Germany

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#156053

Form shows slight indentations and bending, especially around one area on the rim and on the base. Small tears on the base, mostly confined to one side. Gilding is in very nice condition with most is remaining, and the motifs are very vivid. Rich deposits and patina.