Spoon

between 400 and 600 CE

Sasanian

On View

Ancient Middle East Gallery, Level 1, West Wing

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About the Artwork

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Markings

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Provenance

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Exhibition History

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Published References

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Catalogue Raisonné

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Credit Line for Reproduction

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About the Artwork

This silver spoon, with the face of a cow or buffalo adorning the end of its handle, was both functional and decorative.

Attributed to the Persian Sasanian empire (224 – 651), which encompassed vast territories centered in present-day Iran and Iraq, it may have been one of many silver and gold implements and vessels set out for a lavish feast. Kings and other members of the Sasanian ruling elite hosted banquets to cultivate political loyalty, and the precious metals of their preferred tableware would have showcased their wealth and created a dazzling effect.

Dinner guests may have used spoons like this one to eat any number of soft or semiliquid foods in Sasanian cuisine. Many of these dishes, such as stews and fruit compotes, still have ties to Persian cuisine today.

Title Spoon

Artwork Date between 400 and 600 CE

Artist ----------

Life Dates ----------

Nationality Please note: Definitions for nationality may vary significantly, depending on chronology and world events. Some definitions include: Belonging to a people having a common origin based on a geography and/or descent and/or tradition and/or culture and/or religion and/or language, or sharing membership in a legally defined nation. ----------

Culture Please note: Cultures may be defined by the language, customs, religious beliefs, social norms, and material traits of a group. Sasanian

Medium Silver

Dimensions Overall: 8 7/8 × 1 5/8 × 5/8 inches (22.5 × 4.1 × 1.6 cm)

Classification Silver

Department Ancient Near Eastern Art

Credit Founders Society Purchase, with funds from the Antiquaries and the Cleo and Lester Gruber Fund

Accession Number This unique number is assigned to an individual artwork as part of the cataloguing process at the time of entry into the permanent collection. Most frequently, accession numbers begin with the year in which the artwork entered the museum’s holdings. For example, 2008.3 refers to the year of acquisition and notes that it was the 3rd of that year. The DIA has a few additional systems—no longer assigned—that identify specific donors or museum patronage groups. 1991.122

Markings

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Provenance

(Said Motamed, Frankfurt, Germany);
1991-present, purchase by the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

For more information on provenance, please visit:

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Exhibition History

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The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.

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Published References

Komaroff, Linda, ed. Dining with the Sultan: The Fine Art of Feasting. Exh. cat., Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Los Angeles and New York, 2023, p. 226, cat. no. 62d (ill.).

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Catalogue Raisoneé

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Credit Line for Reproduction

Sasanian, Spoon, between 400 and 600 CE, silver. Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Society Purchase, with funds from the Antiquaries and the Cleo and Lester Gruber Fund, 1991.122.