Parthian Statue and Advanced Metal Works in Ancient Iran - CAIS Archaeological & Cultural Daily News of Iran©

A valuable historical object in the national Iranian museum is the Parthian prince statue, described by a leading Iranian art critique as a one unique among the few Iranian large statues.

Aydin Aqdashlu noted the statue was among world’s bronze masterpieces. It was found by farmers in the village of Ahami on the Karun river banks in the Khuzestan province. It was among a number of other artifacts.

The statue is all but intact except for both of his hands. His left hand is cut from the wrist while his right arm is cut beneath the shoulder.

Aqdashlu describes it in this way: ”it is standing upright. His facial features include short beard, long moustache and attractive, solid eyes. His hair is tied with a head band. He is wearing a necklace, while his large eyes and upright nose exhume a certain power. He has an athletic posture with wide shoulders. Generally speaking, the facial features and unique body embodies an Arsacid fighter.”

The French experts carried out extensive research on the statue and concluded its body and head were made in different places. They figured the head might have been built outside of the Arsacid Iran.

Its attire includes two pieces, one a long coat and a pair of pants. Its wearing a belt with metal plaques. The severed arm precludes any suggestion on what it held. An Iranian historian Vesta Sarkhosh speculated the statue was built in the reign of Orod ii some 38-57 B.C.

A replica of the statue, a sample of the advanced stage of the metal works industry in ancient Iran, was displayed in the 7,000 years of Iranian arts exhibition in Europe.

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