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HOME :
Near Eastern Art :
Parthian Art : Parthian Sculpture of a Horse and Rider
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Parthian Sculpture of a Horse and Rider - PF.2945
Origin: Israel
Circa: 100
AD
to 500
AD
Dimensions:
4.5" (11.4cm) high
x 4" (10.2cm) wide
Collection: Near Eastern
Medium: Terracotta
$2,400.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
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After the death of Alexander the Great, his
expansive empire was divided among three of his
most loyal generals, with Seleucis assuming
control of the eastern portion. The Seleucid
Dynasty was thereby established, following in
the footsteps of the Persian, Assyrian, and
Babylonian Empires, with its capitals at Antioch
(in modern Syria) and Seleucia (in modern Iraq).
However, as history has shown, maintaining calm
and order over such a large territory,
encompassing so many different cultures, proved
difficult if not impossible. In 245 B.C., the
Parthians revolted against the Seleucids under
the leadership of Satrap Andragoras, igniting a
civil war that would lead to further autonomy,
despite the continued recognition of the Greek
kings as their superiors. Although the Parthians
had been mentioned in Assyrian text as early as
the 7th Century B.C., it was not until the rise of
Mithradates I that the yoke of Seleucid control
was toss aside and Parthia reached the heights of
its glory. Mithradates the Great quickly
conquered the lands of Babylon, Media, and
Elam, establishing a great empire that would
rival Roman dominance and last until 224 A.D.
when the Sassanid Empire finally subjugated
their lands.
This lovely painted terra-cotta figurine depicts a
regal looking horseman wearing a Parthian
costume, his face adorned with a long,
distinctive beard. He is mounted atop his trusty
steed. Alas, the rider's face is somewhat more
timeworn than that of his horse, whose right eye
is still clearly defined by ancient pigment.
Although this striking figurine is of Parthian
origin, it was found in Israel and is indicative of a
trade route between Israel and other parts of the
Near East and Asia Minor. It is easy to imagine
that the demand for well crafted imported art
was just as great in ancient times as it today.
This figurine clearly appealed to the ancient
connoisseur of fine art as it does to the modern
collector.
- (PF.2945)
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