Ewer with a Simurgh

The elegant elongated shape of this ewer, typical of Sasanian fine metalwork, was later borrowed by other tribes. Both sides of the ewer body feature a medallion depicting an Iranian mythological character that is often to be found on Sasanian artefacts: it is shown with a dog’s head, its jaw wide open and tongue sticking out, dog’s legs, wings and a tail, but no body as such. It is frequently identified as a simurgh, a supernatural creature mentioned in Iranian texts. The iconography of this image, which is a fusion of traits of various animals and, respectively, their inherent qualities, possibly derives from Mesopotamian art.
The rest of the surface of the ewer and its lid are adorned with a stylised decorative tree (supposedly the symbol of the plant world) and floral ornament.