Ancient Parthian Copper-Alloy Ladle | Iran | Circa 247 BCE–224 CE

Provenance & Ownership History
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Formerly in the collection of Jack Guevrekian, Manhasset, New York, a noted New York numismatist and collector with a particular interest in Armenian coinage, antiquities, and ancient material. Guevrekian assembled an extensive collection over several decades, a significant portion of which was publicly offered as The Jack Guevrekian Collection by the Numismatic & Antiquarian Service Corporation of America in New York in 1977.

Subsequently held in a private New York City collection.

Later handled by the Howard S. Rose Gallery / Arte Primitivo in New York, a longstanding specialist gallery and auction house dealing in Pre-Columbian, Classical, Egyptian, Asian, and ethnographic antiquities and works of art. The gallery has conducted specialist auctions, exhibitions, and private sales from its New York premises.

Subsequently handled by Artemis Fine Arts / Artemis Gallery, a Colorado-based specialist in antiquities, ancient art, ethnographic material, and fine art that has been active in the field since 1993.

Then entered a private collection in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The piece was later examined by Luca Salvaggio, an Italian archaeologist and specialist in ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern material. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma from the Italian Archaeological School at Athens (IASA) and is accredited for preventive archaeology by the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC). Salvaggio identified the object as a Parthian copper-alloy ladle from Iran, dating to circa 247 BCE–224 CE, based on its deep hemispherical bowl, plain rim, long gently curved flat-section handle, broad triangular attachment plate, raised spur, and dark grey-green patina. 

$500.00
$500.00
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Ancient Parthian Copper-Alloy Ladle | Iran | Circa 247 BCE–224 CE
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  • Ancient Parthian Copper-Alloy Ladle | Iran | Circa 247 BCE–224 CE
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Rotating view of an ancient Roman bronze simpulum ladle with a deep hemispherical bowl, long flat-section curved handle, broad triangular attachment, two raised spur-like projections, incomplete upper terminal, dark blue-green patina, mineral accretions, corrosion, cracks, perforations, edge losses, and archaeological surface wear
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Front view of Roman bronze simpulum with triangular handle attachment
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Fragmentary Roman simpulum dating to the 1st–3rd century CE
Ancient Parthian Copper-Alloy Ladle | Iran | Circa 247 BCE–224 CE
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Ancient Parthian Copper-Alloy Ladle | Iran | Circa 247 BCE–224 CE

Description
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Historical Context & Origin

Region: Ancient Iran / Parthian Empire
Material: Copper alloy
Period: Parthian Period, 247 BCE–224 CE

Description

This ancient Parthian copper-alloy ladle dates to the period of the Parthian Empire, approximately 247 BCE–224 CE.

The utensil features a deep hemispherical bowl with a plain rim, joined to a long, gently curved handle of flattened section. The handle connects to the bowl through a broad triangular attachment plate, with a distinctive raised spur positioned beside the handle.

The elongated handle would have allowed liquids to be collected or transferred from deeper vessels. Its simple construction reflects the practical metalworking traditions of ancient Iran during the Parthian period.

The surface retains a dark grey-green archaeological patina, with extensive corrosion and mineralization consistent with considerable antiquity.

Features

  • Deep hemispherical bowl
  • Plain rim
  • Long, gently curved flat-section handle
  • Broad triangular attachment plate
  • Single raised spur beside the handle
  • Dark grey-green archaeological patina
  • Fragmentary ancient condition
  • Broken upper handle terminal

Cultural Significance

The Parthian Empire controlled a vast territory centred on ancient Iran and served as an important cultural and commercial link between the Mediterranean, Central Asia, and the Near East.

Metal utensils such as ladles formed part of everyday material culture and demonstrate the practical application of copper-alloy craftsmanship during the Parthian period. The deep bowl and extended handle would have made this example suitable for transferring or serving liquids, although its precise original context cannot be determined.

Condition

Fragmentary ancient condition. The bowl is heavily corroded and thinned, with areas of loss and perforation. The long handle survives but is bent, with corrosion, wear, and surface mineralization throughout.

The upper terminal of the handle is broken and incomplete. The triangular attachment plate and raised spur remain visible. The surface displays a dark grey-green patina consistent with archaeological copper alloy.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Overall Height: 6.5 in
Bowl Diameter: 2 in

Age (Approximate)

1,800–2,300 years old

Provenance

Formerly in the collection of Jack Guevrekian, Manhasset, New York, a noted New York numismatist and collector with a particular interest in Armenian coinage, antiquities, and ancient material. Guevrekian assembled an extensive collection over several decades, a significant portion of which was publicly offered as The Jack Guevrekian Collection by the Numismatic & Antiquarian Service Corporation of America in New York in 1977.

Subsequently held in a private New York City collection.

Later handled by the Howard S. Rose Gallery / Arte Primitivo in New York, a longstanding specialist gallery and auction house dealing in Pre-Columbian, Classical, Egyptian, Asian, and ethnographic antiquities and works of art. The gallery has conducted specialist auctions, exhibitions, and private sales from its New York premises.

Subsequently handled by Artemis Fine Arts / Artemis Gallery, a Colorado-based specialist in antiquities, ancient art, ethnographic material, and fine art that has been active in the field since 1993.

Then entered a private collection in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The piece was later examined by Luca Salvaggio, an Italian archaeologist and specialist in ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern material. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma from the Italian Archaeological School at Athens (IASA) and is accredited for preventive archaeology by the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC). Salvaggio identified the object as a Parthian copper-alloy ladle from Iran, dating to circa 247 BCE–224 CE, based on its deep hemispherical bowl, plain rim, long gently curved flat-section handle, broad triangular attachment plate, raised spur, and dark grey-green patina. 

Learn More

View a related ancient Roman bronze simpulum in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Explore our curated Collection of Roman & Greek Artifacts and Ancient Relics

Description

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Ancient Iran / Parthian Empire
Material: Copper alloy
Period: Parthian Period, 247 BCE–224 CE

Description

This ancient Parthian copper-alloy ladle dates to the period of the Parthian Empire, approximately 247 BCE–224 CE.

The utensil features a deep hemispherical bowl with a plain rim, joined to a long, gently curved handle of flattened section. The handle connects to the bowl through a broad triangular attachment plate, with a distinctive raised spur positioned beside the handle.

The elongated handle would have allowed liquids to be collected or transferred from deeper vessels. Its simple construction reflects the practical metalworking traditions of ancient Iran during the Parthian period.

The surface retains a dark grey-green archaeological patina, with extensive corrosion and mineralization consistent with considerable antiquity.

Features

  • Deep hemispherical bowl
  • Plain rim
  • Long, gently curved flat-section handle
  • Broad triangular attachment plate
  • Single raised spur beside the handle
  • Dark grey-green archaeological patina
  • Fragmentary ancient condition
  • Broken upper handle terminal

Cultural Significance

The Parthian Empire controlled a vast territory centred on ancient Iran and served as an important cultural and commercial link between the Mediterranean, Central Asia, and the Near East.

Metal utensils such as ladles formed part of everyday material culture and demonstrate the practical application of copper-alloy craftsmanship during the Parthian period. The deep bowl and extended handle would have made this example suitable for transferring or serving liquids, although its precise original context cannot be determined.

Condition

Fragmentary ancient condition. The bowl is heavily corroded and thinned, with areas of loss and perforation. The long handle survives but is bent, with corrosion, wear, and surface mineralization throughout.

The upper terminal of the handle is broken and incomplete. The triangular attachment plate and raised spur remain visible. The surface displays a dark grey-green patina consistent with archaeological copper alloy.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Overall Height: 6.5 in
Bowl Diameter: 2 in

Age (Approximate)

1,800–2,300 years old

Provenance

Formerly in the collection of Jack Guevrekian, Manhasset, New York, a noted New York numismatist and collector with a particular interest in Armenian coinage, antiquities, and ancient material. Guevrekian assembled an extensive collection over several decades, a significant portion of which was publicly offered as The Jack Guevrekian Collection by the Numismatic & Antiquarian Service Corporation of America in New York in 1977.

Subsequently held in a private New York City collection.

Later handled by the Howard S. Rose Gallery / Arte Primitivo in New York, a longstanding specialist gallery and auction house dealing in Pre-Columbian, Classical, Egyptian, Asian, and ethnographic antiquities and works of art. The gallery has conducted specialist auctions, exhibitions, and private sales from its New York premises.

Subsequently handled by Artemis Fine Arts / Artemis Gallery, a Colorado-based specialist in antiquities, ancient art, ethnographic material, and fine art that has been active in the field since 1993.

Then entered a private collection in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The piece was later examined by Luca Salvaggio, an Italian archaeologist and specialist in ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern material. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma from the Italian Archaeological School at Athens (IASA) and is accredited for preventive archaeology by the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC). Salvaggio identified the object as a Parthian copper-alloy ladle from Iran, dating to circa 247 BCE–224 CE, based on its deep hemispherical bowl, plain rim, long gently curved flat-section handle, broad triangular attachment plate, raised spur, and dark grey-green patina. 

Learn More

View a related ancient Roman bronze simpulum in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Explore our curated Collection of Roman & Greek Artifacts and Ancient Relics

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