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This ewer was found in the tomb of Li Xian, an important general
of the Northern Zhou dynasty (d. 569), and his wife, but it was
most likely made in the area now encompassing northern Afghanistan,
southern Uzbekistan, and southern Tajikistan. During the fourth
to the sixth century, silversmiths in this region often emulated
the shape and imagery of vessels produced in Sasanian Iran or
the Hellenistic world. Examples of such metalwork produced in
the greater Afghanistan region have been found in a number of
Chinese tombs as a result of trade along the Silk Road.
The shape of the vessel derives from Iranian prototypes. The camel
heads that serve as handle terminals and the use of a human head
instead of that of a bull on the highest point of the handle,
however, are characteristics associated with metalworking in the
western part of Central Asia. The three groups of figures encircling
the body of the ewer may illustrate themes from the Trojan War
cycle, including a scene representing the famous abduction of
the beautiful Helen to the city of Troy. As is often the case
with reinterpretations of such scenes, the iconography is amorphous,
suggesting that the artists and their patrons were more interested
in emulating a beautiful Greek or Roman composition than in accurately
reproducing a story.
A Closer Look
The overall form of this vessel, with a triangular mouth, attenuated
neck, bulbous body, flaring base, and long arching handle derives
from Iranian
prototypes. Also indicative of Iranian influence are the three
rings of pearl
roundels. These Iranian aspects are blended with Central Asian
characteristics and Hellenistic imagery. The scene visible here
shows the famous Greek beauty Helen, who had been abducted from
Sparta in Greece to Troy in Asia Minor, at the moment that she
is reunited with her husband Menelaus after the fall of Troy.
In this and other scenes, the flowing robes, wavy hair, heroic
poses, and accessories all recall ancient Greek
imagery.
Notice
• The amount of detail in all the scenes on
the ewer
• The combination of human, geometric, and vegetal decorative
patterns
• The splendid visual effect of the gilt silver
Consider
• The use of forms and decorative elements
from a variety of sources combined on one object
• Central Asia, long a region of travel and trade, and
the multiple influences that the exchange of foreign goods had
on the products crafted in the region
• This ewer was a utilitarian vessel, meant
to contain and serve liquids
Visit the Met
• The Met has works of ancient Greek art, displayed
in the Greek and Roman Galleries, that are decorated with scenes
from the tale of Helen of Troy—such as the Terracotta Neck-Amphora
made ca. 540 B.C. that depicts the reunion of Menelaus and Helen
(56.171.18).
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