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Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul
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Clasps with "Erotes on Dolphins", 1st century A.D.
Afghanistan, Tillya Tepe, tomb III
Gold with turquoise and mother-of-pearl; 1 5/8 x 1 7/8 in. (4.2 x 4.9 cm)
National Museum of Afghanistan, Kabul, 04.40.110
Photo: © Thierry Ollivier / Musée Guimet
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These youths sitting astride two big fish, whose fins and scales are inlaid with turquoise, draw inspiration from the Greek image of the youthful god Eros (the Roman god Cupid) astride a dolphin. However, these "cupids" lack the wings found in Graeco-Roman representations. Moreover, the fish bear little resemblance to dolphins, and may have been inspired by local river fish such as catfish or sturgeon. This combination of artistic traditions defines the art of Tillya Tepe, in which elements from the classical world, India, China, and the Central Asian steppes were melded to create a new visual language.
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