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Near Eastern Art :
Parthian Art : Parthian Faience Vessel
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Parthian Faience Vessel - GF.0338
Origin: Israel
Circa: 1
AD
to 300
AD
Dimensions:
1.75" (4.4cm) high
Collection: Near Eastern
Medium: Faience
$1,200.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
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After the death of Alexander the Great, his
expansive empire was divided among three of his
most loyal generals, with Seleucis assuming
control of the eastern portion. The Seleucid
Dynasty was thereby established, following in
the footsteps of the Persian, Assyrian, and
Babylonian Empires, with its capitals at Antioch
(in modern Syria) and Seleucia (in modern Iraq).
However, as history has shown, maintaining calm
and order over such a large territory,
encompassing so many different cultures, proved
difficult if not impossible. In 245 B.C., the
Parthians revolted against the Seleucids under
the leadership of Satrap Andragoras, igniting a
civil war that would lead to further autonomy,
despite the continued recognition of the Greek
kings as their superiors. Although the Parthians
had been mentioned in Assyrian text as early as
the 7th Century B.C., it was not until the rise of
Mithradates I that the yoke of Seleucid control
was toss aside and Parthia reached the heights of
its glory. Mithradates the Great quickly
conquered the lands of Babylon, Media, and
Elam, establishing a great empire that would
rival Roman dominance and last until 224 A.D.
when the Sassanid Empire finally subjugated
their lands.
Though discovered in the Holy Land, this
adorable juglet was probably made in Persia.
Parthian ceramics fall into the transitional phase
between the ancient and the Islamic period. They
combined ancient techniques with new
procedures to produce very fine and delicate
works. The beautiful aqua of this pitcher is
blended with white, creating a pattern of light
and dark blue mottling. Its neck is ridged on the
upper and lower portion, and the handle too is
ridged to give it a relief effect. This juglet
probably contained perfume or ointment and
would have had a stopper or cap. Our
imagination soars when thinking of it traveling
from far away Persia to the Holy Land; perhaps
part of a beautiful young woman's cosmetics
case. Within its simple form is still contained the
romance of the past.
- (GF.0338)
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