Roundel with a Head of a Hero Surrounded by Caprids in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, September 2010

Roundel with the head of a "hero" surrounded by caprids, 14th century b.c.; Middle Elamite period
Southwestern Iran
Bitumen, traces of silver and gold foil
H. 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm)
Gift of Norbert Schimmel Trust, 1989 (1989.281.24)


This roundel, carved out of bitumen, was originally overlaid with silver and gold foil. Finely incised in the center is the head of a hero figure with long hair parted down the middle, ending in three curls on each side. The figure is separated from a row of seven recumbentt rams by a double rope-pattern band. The outer border is the same rope-pattern. The roundel would have been attached to another object as a decorative element. Several similar roundels were excavated at the Middle Elamite sites of Haft Tepe (ancient Kabnak) and Susa. The style of the hero's face and delineation of his features are seen in Elamite art as well.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1989.281.24