Jug
Unknown Artist
ca. 3rd–7th century CE
Medium
Ceramic
Dimensions
20.87 in. (53.01 cm)
Classification
Ceramics-Vessels
Culture & Period
Sasanian · Sasanian
Department
Ancient Near Eastern Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1934
Accession Number
34.107.53
Art Historical Context
This elegant ceramic jug hails from the Sasanian Empireca. 224–651 CE), a powerhouse of ancient Persia that bridged the classical world and early Islam. Standing an impressive 20.87 (53 cm) tall, it exemplifies everyday vessels used for storing and pouring liquids like water, wine, or oils in households and elite settings. Crafted during the 3rd–7th centuries CE, such jugs were essential to Sasanian life, reflecting a society renowned for its advanced craftsmanship, Zoroastrian traditions, and trade networks spanning from the Mediterranean to India. Sasanian ceramics like this one highlight t...