A SASSANIAN MOTTLED RED JASPER ELLIPSOID

CIRCA 4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.

Details

A SASSANIAN MOTTLED RED JASPER ELLIPSOID
circa 4th-5th century a.d.
Engraved with a profile bust of a bearded man, his curly hair rendered by means of multiple drillings, wearing earrings and a necklace, the bust fringed at the base by stylized palmettes, a star and crescent in the field, inscribed "Adurgushnasp, son of Harid (?)"
in. (1.95 cm.) wide

Lot Essay

Adurgushnasp is a common Sassanian name. It was originally one of the four great national (Zoroastrian) fires of Iran. In the Sassanian period it became the fire of the warrior class located at Takht-e Solayman in Northwest Iran.

Special thanks to Dr. P. Oktor Skjaervo for his assistance.