Pendant in the form of a dog

Unknown

ca. 8th–7th century BCE · Bronze · Ancient Near Eastern Art

This cast bronze pendant is in the form of a dog. It has a long snout, pointed ears, a tubular body and a raised tail. A thick suspension loop connects the back of its head with its shoulders. This pendant was excavated at Surkh Dum, a settlement site in Luristan in the Zagros Mountains of western Iran. It was part of a large hoard of objects buried beneath a doorjamb in a structure interpreted as a sanctuary; thus the objects were probably offerings made for a god. Indeed, in Mesopotamia dogs were often associated with specific gods. But it is unknown whether this dog had a secular or a sacred purpose, or both.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 8th–7th century BCE

Medium

Bronze

Culture

Iran

Department

Ancient Near Eastern Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1943