{"product_id":"ancient-sasanian-terracotta-bowl-3rd-7th-century-ce","title":"Ancient Sasanian Terracotta Bowl | Ancient Persia | Detailed Provenance | Circa 3rd–7th Century CE","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRegion:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Sasanian Empire, Ancient Persia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Coarse terracotta\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Sasanian Period, circa 3rd–7th Century CE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDescription\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis ancient \u003c\/span\u003eSasanian terracotta bowl dates to approximately the 3rd–7th century CE and represents the utilitarian ceramic traditions of the Sasanian world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vessel has a broad, shallow form with steep walls and a substantial thickened rim. A small horizontal lug projects from one side, while the interior features a distinctive slightly raised central boss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMade from coarse terracotta, the bowl retains extensive surface weathering and mineral deposits consistent with considerable age and archaeological preservation. Its simple, robust construction reflects the practical ceramic forms produced during the Sasanian period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeatures\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBroad shallow vessel form\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThickened rim\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSteep-sided walls\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmall horizontal side lug\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSlightly raised central boss to the interior\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCoarse terracotta construction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArchaeological mineral deposits and surface weathering\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo major restoration observed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Sasanian Empire was one of the major powers of Late Antiquity, ruling much of ancient Persia and surrounding regions from the 3rd through 7th centuries CE.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlongside the empire's celebrated metalwork, architecture, and luxury arts, ceramic vessels formed an essential part of everyday material culture. Plain terracotta bowls such as this provide insight into the practical pottery traditions used by communities throughout the Sasanian world.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe vessel's broad form, heavy rim, side lug, and raised interior boss support its attribution to the \u003c\/span\u003eSasanian period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGood ancient condition with extensive surface weathering, mineral deposits, abrasions, and minor losses consistent with age. The thickened rim, side lug, and raised central boss remain clearly identifiable. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2.25 in\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiameter: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e7 in\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1,300–1,700 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurchased in Tunisia in 1982 and subsequently retained in the McMillan Collection, Minnesota, USA, for over four decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vessel was acquired from archaeologist Néjib Ben Lazrag, formerly associated with the Institut National d'Archéologie et d'Art in Tunis. Accompanying collection records identify the object and there is a period photograph documenting the bowl.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional accompanying documentation includes the original archaeologist's business card, handwritten collection inventory records, and period collection photographs showing the vessel as it appeared in the collection during the early 1980s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe McMillan Collection was assembled over several decades and contained an extensive range of antiquities acquired directly from dealers, archaeologists, galleries, and antique sources throughout Europe, North Africa, the Near East, and the Mediterranean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 vessel as a Sasanian terracotta bowl dating to circa the 3rd–7th century CE, based on its broad shallow form, thickened rim, steep walls, small horizontal side lug, raised central interior boss, and coarse terracotta construction. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscover the history of \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Africa-Roman-territory\" title=\"Roman North Africa | Encyclopaedia Britannica\"\u003eRoman North Africa\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e and its importance within the Roman Empire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse Our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/ceramics-pottery-ancient-heritage-art\/Ceramics-\u0026amp;-Pottery:-Ancient-Heritage-Art\" title=\"Explore Ancient Ceramics \u0026amp; Pottery – Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eCollection of Ancient Ceramics \u0026amp; Pottery\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54892745523522,"sku":null,"price":600.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/Roman-North-African-Terracotta-Bowl-with-Whit-5090.png?v=1787421029","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/products\/ancient-sasanian-terracotta-bowl-3rd-7th-century-ce","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}