A matter of timing. The modern history of a ‘Sasanian’ silver plate from Rashy

This article reconsiders an alleged Sasanian silver plate – here addressed as the “Rashi plate” –, the authenticity of which appears doubtful. Three parameters are considered for discussing this plate: iconography, manufacturing technique and provenance, and all of them are contextualised in the period of the great exhibitions of Persian Art (between the 1930s and the 1960s). The outcome of these exhibitions, besides stimulating scholarly research on previously understudied artistic productions, was the consequent rising interest by museums and private collectors in art objects from the ancient Iranian world. The introduction of possible forgeries, such as the Rashi plate, coherently fits into this increasing demand of the art market.