Stud
Unknown Artist
ca. 9th century BCE
Medium
Copper, bronze
Dimensions
Diam. 2.2 cm x D. 1 cm
Classification
Metalwork-Ornaments
Culture & Period
Iran · Iron Age II, Hasanlu Period IV
Department
Ancient Near Eastern Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Mrs. Constantine Sidamon-Eristoff Gift, 1961
Accession Number
61.100.131a
Art Historical Context
This diminutive bronze and copper stud, measuring just 2.2 cm in diameter and 1 cm deep, hails from Iron Age II Iran during the Hasanlu Period IV, the 9th century. Unearthed from the ancient site of Hasanlu—a thriving settlement in northwestern Iran—this small ornament exemplifies the exquisite metalwork of the Ancient Near East. Likely used to adorn clothing, furniture, or harnesses, its compact form reveals the precision craftsmanship of a culture skilled in alloying copper and bronze for durability and shine. In the turbulent world of Iron Age Iran, such artifacts highlight technological a...