Vessel
Unknown Artist
ca. late 1st millennium BCE–early 1st millennium CE
Medium
Ceramic
Dimensions
8.86 x 4.8 x 12.01 in. (22.5 x 12.19 x 30.51 cm)
Classification
Ceramics-Vessels
Culture & Period
Parthian · Parthian
Department
Ancient Near Eastern Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
From The Collection of Nina and Gordon Bunshaft, Bequest of Nina Bunshaft, 1994
Accession Number
1995.67.2
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant ceramic vessel hails from the Parthian culture, flourishing in the Ancient Near East from roughly 247 BCE to 224 CE—a period when the Parthian Empire the Hellenistic world and the rising powers of Rome and Persia. Dated to the late 1st BCE through early 1st millennium CE it stands at about 9 x 5 x 12 inches, a practical yet artful size for holding liquids or grains in daily life. Crafted from ceramic, a durable medium favored for its versatility, the vessel exemplifies Parthian pottery techniques, likely involving wheel-throwing and slip decoration, which allowed for intricate sur...