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Roundel with head of a "hero" surrounded by caprids

ca. 14th–13th century BCE
Not on view
This roundel, carved out of bitumen, was originally overlaid with silver and gold foil. Finely incised in the center is the head of a hero figure with long hair parted down the middle, ending in three curls on each side. The figure is separated from a row of seven recumbent rams by a double rope pattern band. The outer border is the same rope-pattern. The roundel would have been attached to another object as a decorative element. Several similar roundels were excavated at the Middle Elamite sites of Haft Tepe (ancient Kabnak) and Susa. The style of the hero's face and delineation of his features are seen in Elamite art as well.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Roundel with head of a "hero" surrounded by caprids
  • Period: Middle Elamite
  • Date: ca. 14th–13th century BCE
  • Geography: Southwestern Iran
  • Culture: Elamite
  • Medium: Bitumen, gold and silver foil
  • Dimensions: Diam. 9.2 cm
  • Credit Line: Gift of Norbert Schimmel Trust, 1989
  • Object Number: 1989.281.24
  • Curatorial Department: Ancient West Asian Art

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