Sculptpedia Statues, Busts and Sculptures Park sculptures and installations Ancient World & Antiquity Middle Ages & Renaissance Marble & Other Stones Bronze & Other Metals

Sassanian Horse Head of Kerman

The Sassanian Horse Head of Kerman is a piece of gilded silver made by the goldsmiths of the Sasanian Empire. The source text identifies it as a work from Eranshahr, the Middle Persian name for the Iranian realm, and places it within the history of the second Persian Empire. That empire lasted from 226 to 651 and was founded by Ardashir I after he overthrew the last Arsacid king, Artabanus IV of Parthia. It came to an end when the last Sasanian shahanshah, Yazdegerd III, ruled from 632 to 651.

Sassanian horse head sculpture with ornate metal detailing, shown in profile facing left.
The Sassanian Horse Head shown in profile, with intricate decorative patterns across the metal surface.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0 fr
Sassanian horse head sculpture with ornate facial details and upright ears on a white background.
The Sassanian Horse Head features a stylized metal horse head with decorative patterns and hollow ears.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0 fr
Sassanian Horse Head sculpture with silver metal and gold-gilded details.
The Sassanian Horse Head features silver metalwork with gold-gilded accents and intricate decorative patterns.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0 fr
Sassanian horse head sculpture in gilded silver with detailed decorative patterns
The Sassanian Horse Head, a gilded silver sculpture with finely detailed features and ornamentation.
2006 © · Public domain
Sassanian horse head sculpture in profile with silver-toned metal and gold embellishments.
Sassanian Horse Head shown in profile, with ornate metal detailing and gold accents.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0 fr

Identification

TitleSassanian Horse Head of Kerman
Object typeHorse head sculpture

Historical context

CultureSasanian Empire
DateSasanian period (226–651 CE); made at an unspecified time in the Common Era
Middle Persian name for the Sasanian EmpireErānshahr or Iranshæhr
Historical contextThe Sasanian Empire was the second Persian Empire, founded by Ardashir I after overthrowing the last Arsacid king, Artabanus IV of Parthia, and ended when the last shahanshah, Yazdegerd III, died (632–651)

Creator

Made bygoldsmiths of the Sasanian Empire

Materials

Materialgilded silver

Location and ownership

Associated locationKerman

Other

Language noteIn Middle Persian, the Sasanian Empire was called Erānshahr or Iranshæhr, meaning "Domains of the Iranians"