Antique Ceramics on Show at Smithsonian Museum

A collection of ceramics produced in northwest Iran is on show at Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in Smithsonian’s Museums of Asian Art, Washington DC.

The exhibition “Shaping Clay in Ancient Iran” highlights animal-shaped vessels as well as jars and bowls decorated with animal figures mostly the long-beaked waterfowl and rams with curled horns, Freersackler.si.edu reported.

The ceramics, the most common objects to survive from ancient Iran, are from the Chalcolithic period (5200 BCE–3400 BCE) to the Parthian period (250 BCE–225 CE).

Their distinct shapes and lively decoration illustrate the creative attempts of potters to experiment with clay and lend originality and fancy to utilitarian vessels thousands of years ago.

History of the art of pottery in Iran goes back to ancient times. When agriculture came into existence and cultivation started on the Iranian plateau, people made utensils from baked clay for their daily needs.

The exhibit opened September 8 for one year.

In 1987, the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery opened on the National Mall to become Smithsonian’s second museum of Asian art. The museum was built with funds provided by the physician and medical publisher Dr. Arthur M. Sackler who also donated a collection of one thousand objects to the museum.