Throne Leg in the Shape of a Griffin in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, August 2019

Throne Leg in the Shape of a Griffin
late 7th–early 8th century


Object Details

Title: Throne Leg in the Shape of a Griffin

Date: late 7th–early 8th century

Geography: Attributed to probably Western Iran

Medium: Bronze; cast around a ceramic core and chased

Dimensions: Gr. H. (base on top of iron rod) = 22 7/16 in. (57.0 cm)
Gr. W. (at top) = 3 7/16 in. (8.7 cm)
Gr. Diam. (beak to back of strut) = 7 3/8 in. (18.7 cm)

Classification: Metal

Credit Line: Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1971

Accession Number: 1971.143


This throne leg in the shape of a hybrid creature continues a long history of fantastic animal forms in Iranian art. The vegetal decoration found on its chest is an innovation in the transitional period of early Islam. Related to sixth- and seventh‑century Central Asian wall paintings depicting enthroned figures, this decoration may have been introduced to Iran during the last century of the Sasanian period, when contacts with Soghdian Central Asia increased.


Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/452270