In ancient Persia, kings gave prestigious gifts to their courtiers, including gold necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and luxurious garments covered with gold appliqués. These objects were typically decorated with images of real and mythical animals that were associated with royalty. The striding, winged lion on this garment plaque was a popular hybrid figure in the Achaemenid Empire (ca. 550-330 BC). Fine jewelry was skillfully inlaid with semiprecious stones to create a colorful effect. Swipe to see a gold belt buckle from the Parthian Empire (247 BC-AD 224) that was originally decorated with turquoise inlays, only a few of which are still intact. The buckle shows an image of an eagle clutching its prey. Come see the elaborate gold jewelry and engraved gems worn by kings and aristocrats of the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sasanian dynasties at the Getty Villa Museum's exhibition “Persia: Ancient Iran and the Classical World,” through August 8! . . . 🏷️ #GettyMuseum #GettyVillaMuseum #Ge...