Strainer
Unknown Artist
ca. 8th–7th century BCE
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
6 15/16 × 3 3/4 in. (17.6 × 9.5 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Vessels
Culture & Period
Iran · Iron Age III
Department
Ancient Near Eastern Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, H. Dunscombe Colt Gift, 1971
Accession Number
1971.69
Art Historical Context
This delicate bronze strainer, dating to around the 8th–7th century BCE, hails from Iron Age III Iran and exemplifies the sophisticated metalworking of the Ancient Near East. Measuring just under 7 inches long, its compact form suggests it was designed for practical use—likely straining liquids such as wine or ritual offerings—while showcasing the era's mastery of bronze casting Such vessels were essential in daily life and ceremonial practices, reflecting a culture where metallurgy played a central role in trade, status, and innovation. Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, was prized for its ...