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Pendant in the form of a dog

ca. 8th–7th century BCE
Not on view
This cast bronze pendant is in the form of a dog. It has a long snout, pointed ears, a tubular body and a raised tail. A thick suspension loop connects the back of its head with its shoulders.

This pendant was excavated at Surkh Dum, a settlement site in Luristan in the Zagros Mountains of western Iran. It was part of a large hoard of objects buried beneath a doorjamb in a structure interpreted as a sanctuary; thus the objects were probably offerings made for a god. Indeed, in Mesopotamia dogs were often associated with specific gods. But it is unknown whether this dog had a secular or a sacred purpose, or both.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Pendant in the form of a dog
  • Period: Iron Age III
  • Date: ca. 8th–7th century BCE
  • Geography: Iran, Luristan, Surkh Dum
  • Culture: Iran
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dimensions: 0.87 x 1.14 in. (2.21 x 2.9 cm)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1943
  • Object Number: 43.102.15
  • Curatorial Department: Ancient West Asian Art

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