Elamite Silver Plate

In the Bronze Age, while cultural centres existed in various parts of Persia (e.g.Astrabad and Tappeh Hissard near Damghan in the north-east), the kingdom in Elam in the south-west, was the most important. Metal-work and the art of glazing bricks particularly ftourished in Elam, and from inscribed tablets we can deduce that there was a great industry in weaving, tapesvy, .and embroidery. Elamite metalwork was particularly accomplished. This beautiful silver plate is ornamented with the standing figure of a woman, wearing a long sheepskin robe that resembles the Mesopotamian style. Mesopotamia played a major role in Elam art however, Elam still maintained its independence especially in the highland areas, where the art can be sharply differentiated from that of Mesopotamia.