Bronze Statue of a Parthian Nobleman
Date: 50 BCE – 150 CE
Origin: Sanctuary at Shami, Elymais (modern-day Khūzestān, Iran)
Material: Bronze
Current Location: National Museum of Iran, Tehran 🇮🇷

This remarkable bronze statue of a Parthian nobleman was discovered at Shami, an ancient sanctuary in the region of Elymais in southwestern Iran. Standing nearly life-size, the statue represents one of the finest surviving examples of Parthian metal sculpture. The nobleman is depicted wearing traditional Parthian attire—a belted tunic and trousers—signifying both his high rank and regional identity. His posture is upright and formal, with carefully modeled facial features that convey dignity and authority.

The statue’s craftsmanship reveals a fascinating blend of Hellenistic artistic influence and Iranian stylistic traditions, illustrating the cultural fusion that characterized the Parthian Empire (247 BCE–224 CE). Likely created for a religious or commemorative purpose, the figure reflects the wealth and sophistication of the Parthian elite, as well as the importance of portraiture in asserting social and political status during this era.