A Comparative Study of the Lion Motif in Sassanid and Seljuk Metal Works

Seyed Alangi, Faezeh Alsadat; Vand Shoaei, Ali

A Comparative Study of the Lion Motif in Sassanid and Seljuk Metal Works

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Faezeh Alsadat Seyed Alangi ¹

Ali Vand Shoaei ²

¹ Master's student of Islamic art (metal orientation), University of Islamic Art, Tabriz, Iran.

² P. H. D., Associate professor and faculty member of Farsh Faculty, Tabriz University of Islamic Arts, Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract

The art of metalwork enjoyed a significant growth during the Sassanid era and turned this history into a glorious period in the metalworking art of Iran before Islam. After the arrival of Islam, metalworking continued with a short break and reached its peak during the Seljuk period. The metal works of these two glorious periods of Iranian metalwork have been rich in various decorative motifs. In the interim, animal motifs are abundantly seen in metal works, and in fact, it can be declared that the distinctive feature of Sassanid and Seljuk metal works are the use of animal motifs, and the motif of the "Lion" is the most abundantly applied role. The current research has been conducted with the aim of a comparative study of the motif of the lion in sixteen samples of Sassanid and Seljuk metal works, and the result shows that the motif of this animal was drawn realistically and imaginatively in both periods; furthermore, the types of drawing methods include: 1- the composition of similitude; 2 - the scene of catching and grasping; 3 - the combination of the lion and the sun; 4 - the scene of chasing and fleeing; 5 - in the form of a vessel handles; 6 - symbolically between winged creatures and finally 7- in the form of hybrid-imaginary beings. This research has been accomplished with a historical-descriptive method and follows a comparative approach by relying on library sources.

Research aims:
1. Expressing the features and how to draw the motif of the lion in the metal works of the Sassanid and Seljuk eras.
2. Determining the visual similarities and differences of the lion motif applied in Sassanid and Seljuk metal works.

Research questions:
1. Is the motif of the lion used in Seljuk metal works influenced by Sassanid metal works?
2. What were the visual features and common themes in the use of the lion motif in the Sassanid and Seljuk periods?

Keywords

Lion Motif

Metalwork

Sassanid Period

Seljuk Period

20.1001.1.24763411.1401.1.2.5.4

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