Abstract
The period between the third and sixth centuries CE (Sassanian period) is of great importance in terms of archaeology and the study of cultural developments and transformations in the Iranian plateau. During this period, the manufacture and use of metal objects, especially precious metals, reached its peak in terms of the art and elegance of metalworking. These great developments in the metalworking industry, in addition to the effects on metal objects used in everyday life, also had an impact on metal grave goods. For this reason, we witness the existence of beautiful and exquisite objects in terms of art in the cemeteries of the Sassanid period. The main goal of this research is to examine the form and decorations of metal vessels discovered in the cemeteries of the Sassanid period in northern Iran in order to obtain comprehensive information about the manufacturing technology, use, and designs used on these vessels. The data of this research have been collected and studied based on archaeological excavations. The results of the research show that the most common types of metal vessels discovered in this region include; bowls, cups, goblets, jars, and plates. In addition to their daily use, these vessels indicate a kind of social and political status of their owners and in some cases serve as reserves and capital in commercial relations. Also, most of the metal vessels discovered from the Sassanid cemeteries of this region were made of silver and bronze. These vessels were mainly made by casting and hammering. Most of the discovered vessels are without patterns, but some of the vessels have animal, bird, human, and geometric designs.
Keywords: Grave Goods, Metal Containers, Northern Iran, Survey.
 
1. Introduction
Iran is an ancient land whose civilization extends back several millennia, and the material remains of this long history are preserved in its artistic and archaeological record. Among the most significant elements in the development of human societies is metal, which played a transformative role in technological innovation and social organization. Indeed, archaeologists have long employed the use of metals as a foundational criterion for periodizing and classifying past civilizations, underscoring the centrality of metallurgy in human history, including that of Iran. The period between the third and sixth centuries CE, corresponding to the Sasanian period, is of particular importance for archaeological research and for understanding cultural transformations across the Iranian plateau. During this era, the production and use of metal objects, especially those crafted from precious metal, reached an exceptional level of technical sophistication and artistic refinement. Sasanian metalwork not only achieved remarkable aesthetic and technological standards but also circulated beyond the political boundaries of the empire, attesting to its wide cultural influence. These significant developments in metallurgy affected both utilitarian and ceremonial objects. As a result, Sasanian cemeteries have yielded numerous finely crafted artifacts distinguished by their artistic quality. Many of these objects were produced from a variety of metals, including gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Metal vessels, in particular, constitute a prominent category among these finds. Such items have been recovered—often through archaeological excavations conducted in regions formerly under Sasanian control—including areas in northern Iran, where important discoveries have been made.
 
2. Analysis and decision
The purpose of this study is to investigate the metal vessels discovered in tombs of the Sasanian period in the southern region of northern Iran, with particular attention to their form and decoration. Accordingly, all identified metal vessels are examined and analyzed on the basis of their morphology, decorative motifs, function, material composition, and manufacturing techniques in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of these objects. In terms of its aims, this article constitutes basic research, and with regard to its nature and methodology, it adopts a historical-cultural approach. The data for this study were collected through two primary methods: museum visits and documentary (library-based) research. The analysis is qualitative in nature. Owing to its strategic geographical position, favorable climate, substantial population, and role in defending against external threats, the southern region of northern Iran (Map 1) consistently held significance for the Sasanian government. During the Sasanian period, this region alternated between functioning as a province under central authority and operating as a semi-independent polity; such shifts reflect broader historical developments within the area. Archaeological excavations conducted at Sasanian-period sites and cemeteries in northern Iran (Table 1) have yielded a substantial number of metal vessels (Table 2). Sasanian artisans produced vessels for various social strata, and decorative schemes originally employed on gold and silver wares were often imitated in bronze, iron, copper, glass, and glazed pottery, providing an additional basis for typological classification. The research indicates that five principal categories of vessels have been recovered from Sasanian tombs in this region: (1) bowls, which appear in diverse forms and are generally round containers with relatively high walls used for storing, carrying, and consuming food and liquids; an example was recovered from the Sasanian tomb at Qaleh Kangloo in Savadkuh County, Mazandaran Province (Fig. 1); (2) cups, typically made of bronze or silver and used for drinking liquids such as water or milk, with examples discovered in the Black Valley of Gilan Province (Fig. 2); (3) beakers, used for drinking and storing liquids, with specimens identified at Rahmatabad Rudbar, Amarloo, and Siah in Gilan Province (Figs. 3 and 4); (4) ewers (tangs), commonly manufactured in bronze or silver and employed for storing and pouring liquids, with examples from Deylaman and Rahmatabad Rudbar in Gilan Province (Fig. 5); and (5) plates, among the most common Sasanian vessel types, generally circular and shallow with a flat base, used for dining as well as ceremonial or decorative purposes, most often produced in silver and bronze, sometimes plain and sometimes ornamented, with examples recovered from Rashi, Pir Kooh Amarloo, and Siah Darreh in Gilan Province (Figs. 6–8).
 
3. Conclusion
Based on the sample of metal vessels examined in this study, it can be concluded that the southern region of northern Iran constituted one of the principal centers of metal vessel production during the Sasanian period. The most common types of metal vessels recovered from Sasanian cemeteries in this region include bowls, cups, goblets, ewers, and plates. Beyond their everyday functions, such as storing, serving, eating, and drinking, these objects also signified the social and political status of their owners and, in certain cases, functioned as stores of wealth, capital assets, or even as a medium of exchange in commercial transactions. The majority of the vessels discovered in Sasanian cemeteries in this area were crafted from silver and bronze, although examples featuring gilded decoration have also been identified. Most of these objects were produced using casting techniques, while hammering was employed in a more limited number of cases. A significant proportion of the recovered vessels are plain and undecorated; however, some examples display carved ornamentation or applied decorative motifs. These motifs include representations of animals—such as rams, horses, lions, mountain goats, and fish—birds, including partridges and ducks, as well as human figures and geometric designs. Overall, the evidence suggests that these motifs were not merely decorative but conveyed cultural and symbolic meanings, with artistic expression serving as a medium through which broader ideological and spiritual concepts were communicated. In some instances, the imagery reflects the ideals and belief systems of the communities that produced and used these vessels.