ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Photographs by Ali Matin of treasures from two of Iran’s great collections in Tehran: ancient objects excavated by archaeologists and preserved at the National Museum of Iran, and masterpieces of Persian weaving at the Carpet Museum of Iran.
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1. Figure of a Lute Player Clay figurine of a robed musician in a tall cap playing a lute, a rare glimpse of music in ancient Iran. National Museum of Iran. |
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2. Head of a Prince, Persepolis Small head of a young beardless prince wearing a crenellated crown, carved in blue stone, from Persepolis, Achaemenid period, 5th–4th century BC. Some scholars have suggested it may portray Xerxes as a young man. National Museum of Iran. |
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3. Humped Bull Vessel, Marlik Burnished terracotta vessel in the form of a humped zebu bull, with a spout for pouring libations and gold earrings, from the Marlik region of Gilan, early 1st millennium BC. National Museum of Iran. |
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4. Bronze Galloping Horses Cast bronze pair of galloping horses with a yoke and chariot pole, from a miniature chariot. Ancient Iran. National Museum of Iran. |
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5. Crouching Lion Crouching lion carved in dark stone, with an open mouth and a mane rendered in a scale pattern. National Museum of Iran. |
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6. Jug with Animal Heads Gray clay jug with incised triangle patterns, a bronze ring at the neck, and small animal heads rising from its shoulders. Ancient Iran, likely Iron Age. National Museum of Iran. |
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7. Gold Beaker with Winged Bulls Gold beaker with winged bulls whose heads project from the surface, from the royal cemetery of Marlik in Gilan, northern Iran, c. 1200–1000 BC. Excavated in the early 1960s by archaeologist Ezatollah Negahban. National Museum of Iran. |
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8. The Gold Bowl of Hasanlu Gold vessel decorated with mythological scenes, including a god in a chariot drawn by bulls. Discovered in 1958 at Teppeh Hasanlu, near Naghadeh in northwest Iran, by the expedition led by Robert H. Dyson Jr.; c. 900 BC or earlier. National Museum of Iran. |
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9. Achaemenid Silver Dish Silver dish with a central rosette, lotus blossoms and a ring of almond-shaped bosses, Achaemenid period, 6th–4th century BC. National Museum of Iran. |
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10. Achaemenid Silver Phiale Silver phiale with lotus decoration, Achaemenid period, 6th–4th century BC. National Museum of Iran. |
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11. Achaemenid Silver Rhyton Silver drinking horn ending in an animal head, used at ceremonial banquets, Achaemenid period, 6th–4th century BC. National Museum of Iran. |
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12. Nishapur Calligraphic Bowl Earthenware bowl with an inscription in black Kufic script on a white ground, Nishapur, northeastern Iran, 10th century. Bowls like this often carried proverbs or blessings. National Museum of Iran. |
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13. Terracotta Ibex Vessel Ancient terracotta vessel with a flaring mouth and an ibex head with sweeping horns. National Museum of Iran. |
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14. Ram Vessel on Wheels Gray burnished clay vessel in the form of a ram with curling horns, set on four wheels, with a tall spout on its back. Ancient Iran, likely Iron Age. National Museum of Iran. |
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15. Painted Beaker from Susa Painted ceramic beaker from Susa, southwestern Iran, c. 4000 BC, among the earliest masterpieces of Iranian pottery. National Museum of Iran. |
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16. Painted Footed Cup Prehistoric painted earthenware cup on a foot, with bands of zigzag and diamond patterns. National Museum of Iran. |
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17. Persian Carpet Hand-knotted Persian carpet with a red field of scrolling vines and palmettes within a deep blue border, in the classical style. Carpet Museum of Iran, Tehran. |
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18. Nastaliq Calligraphy Persian calligraphy in nastaliq script on golden paper, mounted on a pink margin. |
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19. Pictorial Carpet Hand-knotted Persian pictorial carpet of a bather seated beside a pool among trees and flowers. Carpet Museum of Iran, Tehran. |