Panel fragment
This object is one of three related fragments in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum, said to be from Ziwiye, which depict hunting and battle scenes (51.131.9; 51.131.11; 51.131.12). Stylistic differences suggest they were carved by different artisans, but all three show a familiarity with the scenes depicted in the stone reliefs that decorated Assyrian palaces. Because of their similarity to the Assyrian reliefs, they have been classified as Assyrian style ivories. They were likely used as furniture decoration. On this piece, a roaring lion attacks a chariot, in which an archer rides, drawing his bow. At left, the rear hooves and tail of a horse can be seen; as the front hooves do not appear on the plaque, the horse may be rearing over the attacking lion. The dynamics of the conflict between the lion and archer are difficult to understand, since the lion turns his head away from the chariot while the archer aims his bow in the opposite direction. The oversized head and raised paw of the lion are much larger than the tiny figure of the archer. Details such as the lion’s mane and the tail of the horse are incised.
In 1946 a treasure was reportedly found at a mound near the village of Ziwiye in northwestern Iran. Objects attributed to Ziwiye are stylistically similar to Assyrian art of the eighth and seventh centuries B.C. as well as to the art of contemporary Syria, Urartu, and Scythia. Many objects of gold, silver, bronze, ivory, and ceramic have since appeared on the antiquities market with the provenance of Ziwiye, although there is no way to verify this identification.
In 1946 a treasure was reportedly found at a mound near the village of Ziwiye in northwestern Iran. Objects attributed to Ziwiye are stylistically similar to Assyrian art of the eighth and seventh centuries B.C. as well as to the art of contemporary Syria, Urartu, and Scythia. Many objects of gold, silver, bronze, ivory, and ceramic have since appeared on the antiquities market with the provenance of Ziwiye, although there is no way to verify this identification.
Artwork Details
- Title: Panel fragment
- Period: Iron Age III
- Date: ca. 8th–7th century BCE
- Geography: Iran, said to be from Ziwiye
- Culture: Iran
- Medium: Ivory
- Dimensions: 1 5/16 × 3 9/16 × 3/16 in. (3.4 × 9 × 0.4 cm)
- Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1951
- Object Number: 51.131.11
- Curatorial Department: Ancient West Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Assyrian
ca. 9th–8th century BCE
Iran
ca. early 1st millennium BCE
Achaemenid
ca. 358–338 BCE
Iran
ca. 8th century BCE
Iran
ca. 9th century BCE
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.