Three pieces of silver from the Sassanid Empire, on display in the BnF Richelieu (photos from Dec 2024).

The first piece gives off strong Anahita vibes to me. That may just be the Sassanid styling, though the presence of the “dancer” with a lion in the center does echo Anita in her martial aspect. (For more about Anahita, see the embedded Note in the comments.)

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From the museum labels:

Sassanid Metalwork

The Sassanid dynasty reigned for 400 years (224–651) over a vast empire stretching between the Romano-Byzantine world and China. Drawing inspiration from both East and West, Sassanid art was above all a courtly art. Silverwork, originally produced in official workshops, disseminated the image of the king and the state religion, Zoroastrianism.

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Dish: Zoroastrian Festivals (1-3)

Tokharistan (Central Asia), 650–700

Silver, mercury gilding

Soltykoff Collection; purchased from M. Gambart in 1843

Inv. 56.361

Pairs of female dancers bearing offerings symbolize the principal festivals of the Zoroastrian calendar. The presence of royal attributes suggests production in a court workshop in the eastern part of the empire. A strong Hellenistic influence is evident in this region, conquered by Alexander the Great.

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Dish: King Hunting (4)

Iran, 6th–early 7th century

Four punchmarks recorded in Syriac manuscripts by the late 10th century

Silver, mercury gilding

Found in Russia

Gift of Lannep, 1843

Inv. 56.364

The image of the sovereign hunting, a major theme of Sassanid silverwork, served royal propaganda. Dressed in embroidered garments and heavy jewelry, the king wears a crenellated, winged crown that likely identifies him as Khusrow II (591–632).

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Sassanid Ewer (5-6)

Iran, 7th century

Confronted griffins beneath the shoulder carrying an eight-pointed star

Silver, mercury gilding, with inlays

Purchased from J.B. Julliot in 1848

Inv. 56.363

The repoussé and chiseled decoration shows two pairs of lions face-to-face, carrying an eight-pointed star on their shoulder. The motif of the Tree of Life associated with wild animals comes from the Mesopotamian tradition, as does the star.