Sasanian figure
- Gallery: Room 52
- Culture: Sasanian
- Date: 3rdC
- Object type: figure
- Materials: copper alloy; lead
- Museum number: 123267
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
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About this object
Before you is a striking figure cast from leaded copper alloy, depicting a powerful winged beast—possibly a lion gryphon. It stands on four legs, with a vigorously carved head and curved horns that taper at the ends. From each shoulder springs a dramatic wing, and across its chest is stylised acanthus leaf decoration. Its tail is shaped like a ring.
The body has a rough, textured surface, created by chiseling after casting. This may suggest fur or hair. Vertical holes run through the front paws, and on its rear left flank is a later inscribed Persian nastaliq script. Scientific analysis shows high copper and lead content, typical of late antiquity.
This work likely comes from Sasanian Persia with Parthian influences. The figure was discovered in Helmand, Afghanistan, and acquired in 1913 through a generous donation. It offers rare insight into ancient metalworking techniques and artistic exchange in Central Asia.
See it in person
Sasanian figure is on display in Room 52 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and take a photo of it to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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