The Persian Kingdom is an ancient cultural entity, with roots embedded in the ancient era, although the country in its modern version is known by the name Iran. Down through the generations the kingdom ruled intermittently over extensive lands ranging from Mesopotamia in the west to Afghanistan and India in the east, from the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea. Throughout these periods the kingdom knew how to incorporate the cultures of the nations they conquered and even absorb them within the Persian realm.
The Persian collection in our museum encompasses various and diverse articles ranging from the ancient era, circa 4000 B.C.E. up to the late Islamic period in the 14th century C.E.
Pottery and Ceramics - Dating already from the early periods we find simple household pottery alongside vessels decorated in various styles. Initially the decorations were linear with geometric models, while later on rich paintings of animals and plants appeared as well as in "áshkoki" forms (appearing as chess squares), and afterwards plastic parts of animals on spouts and handles (zoomorphic). The pottery types differ from one period to the next and come from diverse regions, including bright pottery with a beige color, yellowish pottery, pinkish pottery, red pottery, gray pottery and black pottery; some of them were polished, (especially the vessels from black clay as efforts were made to give them the appearance of metal). Sometimes the entire surface was painted darker (mostly wine red), and then decorated with patterns in black paint. Vessels from bright clay were generally decorated with paintings in dark colors: dark red-wine, or dark brown, and even black. In addition to the painting, geometric patterns were carved on many vessels, and sometimes even grooves were cut upon it (narrow or wide, deep or flat). These vessels were burnt, in most cases at low temperatures (700-800 degrees). In addition to the vessels for daily use (at home?) in the home, ritual and incense vessels (mostly libation vessels) were produced, in addition to vessels for burying the dead. The pottery vessels from Amlesh (a small village to the south of the Caspian Sea), dated 700-900 B.C.E. were especially rich in form, testifying to the potters' ability and imagination.
In addition to the above artefacts, the museum's collection also includes ceramic vessels and figurines from the Islamic periods, both earlier and later periods in Persia that were decorated in artistic script, and with various descriptions (human beings and animals, warriors, mythological heroes and rich vegetative patterns, in addition to a geometric pattern) in very diverse colors. The multi-colored and gleaming glazing, which was invented and developed by Moslem potters' and was rich in arabesque motifs, medallions and additional patterns, was passed on to the countries of Eastern Asia.
Bronze objects (mainly from Luristan, 8th – 9th centuries B.C.E.), including among other items bridles for harnessing horses, (which point to the culture of tribes invading from the north with chariots and horses at around that time). Stylized swords and spears of different sizes, tiny sanctified statuettes (animals of different kinds), standards bearing animal heads (mainly deer and lions), bracelets and earrings, copper plates and plates with silver and gold settings and coating.
One special piece in the collection is a fragment of a stone relief from one of the palaces at the site of Persepolis (circa 500 B.C.E.). The relief is made with hard stone, and polished to give the appearance that it may be compared to polished marble. It apparently shows a procession of the king's servants bearing gifts presented to the king.