Early Parthian Faience Face Cup
1st millennium B.C. Formed as a small circular vessel, the frontal part shaped as a female face, with well-defined nose, eyes and mouth, long hair on the sides framing the face, traces of colour still present on the upper edge. Cf. a similar style of head in Aruz, J., Seymour, M., Assyria to Iberia, Art and Culture in the Iron Age, p.58, fig.5. 71 grams, 60 mm (2 3/8 in.).

Collected from 1969-1999.From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.

Faience objects have been discovered in great numbers at various Middle Assyrian and later sites, including the capitals, provincial and administrative centres as well as small settlements. Functionally, the faience objects can be assigned to a variety of categories, among which vessels, fragments thereof, and jewellery are the most numerous. The vessels are predominantly open-shaped, such as bowls and cups, but miniature bottles, beakers and other types of vessels were also found. Our small cup was probably intended for female toilette usage.