The most famous works of art from the Sasanian period are rock reliefs and silver vessels. Ancient texts describe gifts of silver plate from the Sasanian king to nobles or contemporary rulers. Indeed many of the vessels have been discovered in Armenia, Georgia and Siberia – areas bordering the Sasanian Empire. Silver vessels were made in many different shapes including bowls, dishes and vases, but the most spectacular are plates decorated with royal scenes. Similar scenes showing the king hunting or sitting on a throne are known from rock reliefs. The hunting scenes retain military aspects with the king always fully armed. It is possible that by the reign of Shapur II (AD 309-379) the state controlled silver production which is why figures of kings feature strongly on the plates.

Such products had widespread appeal – some shapes closely parallel Roman types and other vessels have been found as far east as China. Sasanian silver bowls were hammered into shape and then decorated in various complex techniques. Some vessels were gilded using an amalgam of mercury and gold, which could be painted onto the surface, while niello – a black metallic alloy of sulphur and silver – was sometimes inlaid into engraved designs.