The mystery behind the person who wore this gold ornament

"So rarely do we get a real snapshot of an individual."

"So rarely do we get a real snapshot of an individual."

Curator Fiona Kidd on a gold belt adornment with an eagle and its prey, presumably worn by someone in a position of power.

Explore this object:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/322485

Throughout 2013, The Met invited curators from across the Museum to each talk about one artwork that changed the way they see the world.

Photography by Peter Zeray

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Contributors

Fiona Kidd
Assistant Curator, Department of Ancient Near Eastern Art

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Belt adornment with an eagle and its prey, Gold, turquoise inlay, Parthian or Kushan
Parthian or Kushan
ca.1st–2nd century CE