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| Pre-Islamic Era Artifacts from the historic and pre-historic Iran are excellent proofs of the existence of various aspects of material and cultural life of the people who lived in this country. Gradual development of primitive technology in such fields as pottery and metallurgy can be seen in the evolution of the objects. Pre-historic simple daggers gave way to the elaborately decorated axe heads, cheekpieces and harness rings of the "Lorestan Bronzes" and reached its finest state i.e., the ceremonial swords; gilded vases of the Sassanian era or the handmade figurines of ca.1300 BC also gave way to the rhytons and well-proportioned wares of the Parthian period. Not only do these objects show knowledge of technology; they are indications of cultural attitudes towards such matters as states-manship, religion and war. Bronze idols of Lorestan found in graves tell of religious attitudes. Investiture rings of the Parthian era symbolize the transfer of authority. An alabaster jar of the Achaemenian era with an Egyptian cartouche shows the wide extent of political transactions between nations. The abundance of animals as decorative themes and inspiration for the actual form of the object, tell of the importance of animals, animal husbandry and hunting in daily life. While the two archers used as a design in the "Lorestan Bronzes" and the small model of a man ploughing of the pre-historic period tell of the two skills needed in everyday life. Finally, it is interesting to note that while pre-historic objects were mere practical in form and design, later objects obtain a more ceremonial, glittering and brilliant appearance showing that formality and grandiosity become a much more important aspect of life. |
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Reza
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