Silver Pin
Parthian, 2nd century AD
Said to be from Masjid i-Suleiman, south-west IranThis silver pin head is decorated with an extremely detailed representation of a Parthian couple at a banquet. It is said to have been found at Masjid-i Suleiman but, unlike some bronze objects from the site which seem to have served as votive objects, this silver piece may have had a funerary purpose. It may therefore have come not from the Parthian period sanctuaries at the site but from somewhere - perhaps a grave - in the surrounding region.
The couple seem to be shown at a funerary banquet, examples of which are well known from the reliefs of Palmyra, particularly in the second and third centuries AD. The gesture of putting a comforting hand on the partner or spouse, common in Roman art, is also known from contemporary Palmyrene reliefs.
Both the male and the female figure have a similar hairstyle with long hair ending in rolls. This style was fashionable at the end of the second century AD.
(Source: The British Museum)
