Klimova Treasure Explained

The Klimova Treasure is a hoard of Early Byzantine and Sasanian silver objects that was discovered in 1907 near the village of Klimova in the Perm Governorate of the Russian Empire (modern-day Perm Krai, in central Russia). It is one of several hoards of Byzantine and Sasanian silverware uncovered in that region, which are collectively referred to as the Perm Treasures.[1]

Description

Amongst the Byzantine objects from the Klimova Treasure are a dish containing an image of a goatherd which bears the silver stamps of Emperor Justinian I (r. 527–565) and two 7th-century dishes adorned with crosses.[2] [3] The Sasanian objects from the hoard include a dish depicting King of Kings Shapur III (383–388) slaying a leopard, as well as another which portrays a tigress beneath a tree. Other works associated with the Klimova Treasure also include an 8th or 9th century Iranian dish and a Mawarannahr piece. A bucket was also found. The Klimova Treasure is currently housed in the collections of the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hobbs, Richard. Late Roman Precious Metal Deposits, c. AD 200-700: Changes over Time and Space - PhD Diss. Institute of Archaeology, University College London. 1997. 113-4.
  2. Book: Kitzinger, Ernst. The Art of Byzantium and the Medieval West: Selected Studies. Indiana University Press. 1976. Bloomington. 163.
  3. Book: Sinai, Byzantium, Russia: Orthodox Art from the Sixth to the Twentieth Century. The Saint Catherine Foundation and the Hermitage Museum. 2000. 52-3.