State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg : : Eastern Iranian/Central Asian Metalwork

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This section of the Eastern metalwork in the Hermitage Museum collection includes items from Eastern Iran and Central Asia, the provenance being that established in the first instance by Darkevich and Marshak. Since the provenance of many objects is quite uncertain, analogous examples (and some items which might logically have been included here) may be found in other sections as well. The organization here places first the objects Marshak has determined as Sogdian in origin, in the order of his classification, with occasional insertions of analogous items he did not discuss. The remaining objects are arranged in approximate chronological order following in the first instance Darkevich's datings. The black and white photographs are from Smirnov's magnificent portfolio. In a few cases the digitization pixellizes the images. Thumbnails of inscriptons often show only a part thereof and need to be clicked on to bring up the full text. The publications cited are:

Here are select portions of the maps in Smirnov showing some of the heaviest concentrations of the finds of Eastern metalwork in the former Russian Empire. The captions are in Russian; the numbers are those of the Smirnov portfolio.

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Ewer depicting winged camel.
End 7th-beg. 8th c., Central Asia . Silver, gilding. H. 39.5 cm.
Khwarezmian inscr. on base indicating weight.
Found 1878, Mal'tsevo, Kuvinskaia vol., Perm prov.; ex-S. G. Stroganov Coll. SPb. Acq.1925.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 84; Darkevich no. 35, pl. 10, pp. 23-24, 85; Marshak T7; Scythian 1969, no. 95.
Dish.
7th c., Central Asia . Silver. Dia. 22 cm.
Found 1851, Volgina, Perm Gub. Stolen in 1868 from Lazarev Institute, Moscow .
Pub.: Smirnov no.136; MarshakT9 (stage B2).
Cup.
2nd half 8th-9th c., E. Central Asia. Silver.
Found prior to 1722 in upper Enisei R. region; was in church of Karaul'nyi Ostrog , Enisei gub.
Pub.: Drawing from albom of D. G. Messershmidt. Smirnov no. 115; Darkevich p. 16; Marshak T14 (stage C, 7th c.).
Dish depicting Senmurv.
8th c., E. Iran . Silver, gilding. Dia. 27 cm.
Found 1873 vill. Kytmanov, Glazovskii u,, Viatka prov.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 49; Darkevich no. 60, pl. 5/3, p. 36; Marshak T17 (stage A1).
Dish with mountain goat.
8th c., E. Iran . Silver, gilding. Dia. 28 cm.; central medallion 16.9 cm.
Found 1780-81, vill. Sludka, Permskii u., Perm prov.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 107; Darkevich no. 26, pl. 5/4, p. 19; Marshak T18 (stage A2).
Ewer.
8th c. E. regions of Central Asia (Ferghana?). Silver. H. 26.5 cm.
Found 1867 Iagoshur, Glazovskii u., Viatka prov., containing about 1500 dirhams, the latest dated 843/4 CE.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 124; Darkevich no. 3, p. 20/1-2, pp. 8-9; Marshak T22 (stage B?).
Ewer.
8th c., E. Central Asia . Silver. Dia. bottom 13.3 cm.
On handle turkic runic inscription of 8th c.: "For the youngest daughter Geriuncha, the bride, a gift."
Found 1884 Sed'iar, Glazovskii u., Viatka prov. Ex-Archaeological Commission; acq. 1895.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 168; Darkevich no. 4, pl. 20/5-6, p. 9.

Cup.
8th-9th c., Central Asia . Silver. H. 6.5 cm.
Found 1899 vill. Koshelev, Krasnoufimskii u., Perm prov. w. Sasanian flask (Smirnov no. 87).
Pub.: Smirnov no. 114; Darkevich no. 18, pl. 18/2-4, p. 16; Marshak T 26 (stage C).


Dish with mountain goat.
8th c., E. Iran . Silver, gilding. Dia. 25 cm.; central medallion 15 cm.
Found 1893 Tomyz, Glazovskii u., Perm prov. w. other silver dishes.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 108; Darkevich no. 62, pl. 5/1, pp. 38-39; Marshak T27 (stage A3).

Cup.
2nd half 8th c., E. Iran . Silver, gilding. H. 11.3 cm, max. dia. 12 cm.
Found 1891, vill. Gutov, Okhanskii u., Perm prov. w. Smirnov no.120.
Smirnov no. 109; Darkevich no. 29, pl. 8/1-4, pp. 21-22; Marshak T28 (stage A3).

Dish with lion attacking doe.
8th c., E. Iran . Silver, gilding. Dia. 27.5 cm.; dia of central medallion 16 cm.
Found 1870s-1880s vill. Polovodovo, Solikamskii u., Perm prov. Acq. 1893.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 106; Darkevich no. 37, pl. 5/2, p. 25; Marshak T29 (stage A4); Scythian 1969, no. 92.
Dish with ruler hunting lions.
2nd half 8th-1st half 9th c., E. Iran . Silver, gilding. Dia. 25.7 cm.
Found prior to 1860, upper Kama R. reg.; ex-G. S. Stroganov collection. Acq. 1911.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 63; Darkevich no. 69, pl. 6/1, p. 40; Marshak T30 (stage A5).
Dish depicting ruler at feast.
2nd half 8th- 1st half 9th c., E. Iran . Silver, gilding. Dia. 25.8 cm.
Found prior to 1860 upper Kama R. reg.; ex-G. S. Stroganov Coll. Acq. 1911 from M. G. Shcherbatova.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 64; Darkevich no. 70, pl. 6/4, pp. 40-41; Marshak T31 (stageA5).

Bucket with deer.
2nd half 8th-1st half 9th c., E. Central Asia. Silver. Dia. 21.4 cm., H. 19.3 cm.
Found 1886 1 km. from Shirokovskoe, Shadrinskii u., Perm prov.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 134; Darkevich no. 80, pl. 12/1-3, p. 44-45; Marshak T35.
Dish with rosette design.
2nd half 8th-1st half 9th c., E. Central Asia. Silver. Dia. 39.5 cm.
Found 1907 vill. Klimovo, Kudymkarskii r-on., Perm prov. w. Byzantine and Sasanian objects.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 314; Darkevich no. 34, pl. 13/1, p. 23; Marshak T36.

Dish with deer.
2nd half 8th-first half 9th c., E. Central Asia. Silver. Dia. 35 cm.
Found 1900 vill. Rep'evka, Bugul'minskii u., Samara prov. w. 2 other silver dishes.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 135; Darkevich no. 12, pl. 11/3, pp. 13-14; Marshak T37 (stage B3).
Dish with water bird.
2nd half 8th-1st half 9th c., E. Central Asia. Silver. Dia. 23.3 cm.
Found 1900 vill. Rep'evka, Bugul'minskii u., Samara prov, with 2 other silver dishes.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 137; Darkevich no. 13, pl. 11/1, p. 14; Marshak T39 (stage B4).
Cup with peacock.
8th-9th c., Central Asia . Silver. H. 6 cm.
Found 1893, Tomyz, Viatka prov.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 116; Marshak T40.
Cup with vegetation.
2nd half 8th-beg. 9th c., Central Asia . Silver, gilding. H. 9.3 cm, Dia. of mouth 12.5 cm.
Found 1893 Tomyz, Glazovskii u., Perm prov. with other silver dishes.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 110; Darkevich no. 65, pl. 8/5-6, p. 39; Marshak T42.
Dish with goddess and deer.
2nd half 8th-1st half 9th c., E. Central Asia. Silver, gilding. Dia. 38.5 cm.
Found 1887 vill. Churinskaia, Glazovskii u., Viatka prov. w. Smirnov no. 90. Ex-Archaeological Commission; acq. 1891.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 111; Darkevich no. 5, pl. 22/1-2, pp. 9-10; Marshak T43.

Cup with vegetation.
2nd half 8th-1st half 9th c., Central Asia (?). Silver, gilding. Dia. 8.5 cm., H. 6 cm.
Found 1890 vill. Vikharevo, Malmyzhskii u., Viatka prov.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 117; Darkevich no. 1, pl. 8/7-8, p. 8; Marshak T45 (stage C?).


Cup with birds and vegetation.
2nd half 8th-beg. 9th c., E. Central Asia (or E. Turkestan ). Silver, gilding. Dia. 10 cm., H. 6.7 cm.
Found 1893 Tomyz, Glazovskii u., Perm prov.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 113; Darkevich no. 67, pl. 17/3-6, p. 39; Marshak T46 (stage C).

Cup with vegetation.
2nd half 8th-beg. 9th c., E. Central Asia (or E. Turkestan ). Silver, gilding. Dia. 9 cm., H. 5.3 cm.
Found 1893 Tomyz, Glazovskii u., Perm prov.
Smirnov no. 112; Darkevich no. 66, pl. 17/7-8, p. 39; Marshak T47 (stage C).
Lamp with foliage.
2nd half 8th-9th c., E. Central Asia (or E. Turkestan ). Silver, gilding. H. 5.8 cm., upper dia. 8.6 cm.
Found Viatka prov.; ex-A. S. Vel'iaminova-Zernova coll.; acq. 1904.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 291; Darkevich no. 76, pl. 18/5-6, p. 43; Marshak T48 (stage C).
Pail with rosette design on bottom.
2nd half 8th-1st half 9th c., E. Central Asia. Silver. H. 18 cm., dia., 27 cm.
Found 1907 vill. Klimovo, Kudymkarskii r-on., Perm prov. w. other Byzantine and Sasanian objects.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 312; Darkevich no. 33, fig. 12/4, p. 23. Similar to Darkevich no. 9, and identical to no. 38. Marshak T50 (stage 12).
Dish with ornament of petals.
2nd half 8th-1st half 9th c., E. Central Asia. Silver. Dia. 26 cm.
Found 1900 vill. Rep'evka, Bugul'minskii u., Samara prov, with 2 other silver dishes.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 138; Darkevich no. 14, pl. 11/2, p. 14; Marshak T51 (stage B5).
Cup with grape vines.
2nd half 8th-9th c., Central Asia . Silver. Dia. 16.3 c., H. 3.5 cm.
Found 1893 near Tomyz, Glazovskii u., Perm prov. w. other silver dishes.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 121; Darkevich no. 64, pl. 22/3-4, p. 39; Marshak T52.
Figures of camel and ibex.
Gold.
Found before 1716, Western Siberia.
Pub.: Engr. in Nicolas Witsen, Noord en Oost Tatarie; reprod. of page from Witsen, Golden Deer, p. 278, fig. 95. Smirnov figs. 14, 15.
Cup depicting 4-armed god.
570 CE., Khwarezm. Silver. Dia. 10.6 cm.
Found 1840 vill. Kovino, Perm prov. Ex-Stroganov Coll. SPb.br> Pub.: Smirnov no. 42; Darkevich fig. 14/1, p. 107.
Dish with seated ruler.
End 6th-beg. 7th c., Khwarezm. Silver. Dia. 12.2 cm.
Obtained by Orenburg Archive com. Currently in Hermitage??
Pub.: Smirnov no. 286; Darkevich fig. 14/4, p. 108.
Dish.
End 6th-beg. 7th c., Khwarezm. Silver.
Found 1845 Verkhneberezovo, Perm prov. ex-Stroganov coll. SPb.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 47; Darkevich, fig. 14/3, pp. 107-108.
Cup.
End 6th-7th c., Khwarezm. Silver. Dia. 12.7 cm.
Found 1845 Verkhneberezovo, Perm prov. Ex-Stroganov coll. SPb.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 45; Darkevich fig. 14/2, pp. 107-108.
Cup depicting 4-armed (?) god.
7th-beg. 8th c., Khwarezm. Silver. Dia. 12.5 cm.
Found 1840, vill. of Kovino, Permskii u., Perm prov. Ex-Stroganov Coll. SPb.; acq. 1922.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 44; Darkevich no. 25, pl. 25/5, p. 19.
Cup with horseman.
7th-beg. 8th c., Khwarezm. Silver, gilding. H. 5.7 cm., Dia. 13.4 cm.
Found 1886, vill. Nizhne-Shakharovka, Perm prov. with several Sasanian dishes. Ex-Archaeological Commission; acq. 1891.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 46; Darkevich no. 17, pl. 25/1-2, pp. 15-16; Scythian 1969, no. 96.
Dish with rosette.
7th-beg. 8th c. Khwarezm. Silver. Dia. 12 cm., H. 5.4 cm.
Found 1891, Gutov, Okhanskii u., Perm gub.
Smirnov no. 120; Darkevich no. 30, pl. 25/3-4, p. 22.
Tray with depiction of "hippocampus."
7th-8th c., Central Asia? Silver. L. 32.2 cm., W. 20.5 cm.
Found in Perm gub.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 152; Darkevich fig. 1/1; pp. 11-12.
Dish with central medallion (shown here) of goddess on dragon.
1st half 8th c., Khwarezm. Silver.
Found Dagestan.
Smirnov no. 285; Darkevich, pl. 25/6, p. 108.
Jug.
8th c.? Central Asia? Silver. H. 11.6 cm.?
Found prior to 1726. Minusinsk Dist., Enisei prov.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 170.
Dish with rosette.
2nd half 8th-1st half 9th c., E. Central Asia. Silver, gilding. Dia. 21.2 cm.
Found 1893 Tomyz, Glazovskii u., Perm prov. w. other silver dishes.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 103; Darkevich no. 63, pl. 13/2, p. 39.
Dish with vegetation (det. center).
8th-9th c., Central Asia. Silver. Dia. 25 cm.
Found Russia before 1867; purchased in 1902 in Moscow by F. Martin. Is it in Hermitage or a non-Russian collection?
Smirnov no. 101; Darkevich no. 118, pl. 21/1-2, p. 61.
Dish with biblical scenes.
9th-10th c., Semirech'e, prob. from Nestorian milieu. Silver, gilding. Dia. 23 cm.
Found 1897 vill. Grigorovskoe, Solikamskii u., Perm prov.; acq. 1899.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 38; Darkevich no. 40, pl. 23, pp. 26-28.
Bowl with kufic inscr.
10th-11th c., Samanid (Transoxania). Silver, gilding. H. 7 cm., max dia. 9 cm.
Found 1890 vill. Karasevo, Galzovskii u., Viatka prov. w. other Byzantine and ME silver.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 131; Darkevich no. 10, pl. 36/5-7, p. 13.
Tray with name of Khwarezmshah Abu Ibrahim.
11th-12th c., Central Asia. Silver, gilding. 37.5 x 24 cm.
Found before 1896 on R. Syn (Ob' R. basin), Tobol'sk prov. Ex-Archaeological Commission; acq. 1897.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 150; Darkevich no. 87, pl. 35/5-6, p. 47.
Flask.
Silver.
Found 1892, Kochkar R. valley, Semirech'e.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 172.
Flask.
Silver.
Found 1853 Niukskoe, Transbaikal region.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 172.
Flask.
Silver.
Found 1851 (1857?) Gurevski, Tomsk prov. Ex-Museum of Russian Geographical Society, St. Petersburg.
Pub.: Smirnov no. 181.