6th-7th century AD. A silver boat-shaped bowl, elliptical in plan with rounded underside, thickened rim, hammered texture; to the centre a profile advancing lion with pointillé fur detailing, herringbone border. See Harper, P.O. & Meyers, P. Silver Vessels of the Sasanian Period, New York, 1981 for discussion; Muscarella, O.W. Bronze and Iron. Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988, item 428, for type; also Godard, A. The Art of Iran, London, 1965, p.214-215, ill.120 and 121, for a bottle with repoussé decoration now in the National Museum, Tehran, depicting a similar mythical animal at the base. 259 grams, 20.5cm (8"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired London art market, 1970-1980; accompanied by a metallurgic analytical report, written by metallurgist Dr. Brian Gilmour of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford, report number 621/134652. Fine condition.