Roundel with radiating palmettes. Culture: Sasanian. Dimensions: Diam. 42 in. (106.7 cm). Date: ca. 6th century A.D..Written sources describe the Taq-I Kisra, the winter palace of the Sasanian emperor Khusrau I (r. 531-79), as richly decorated with mosaics and stucco decorations. Numerous stucco reliefs were recovered from the excavations around the palace area including several roundels such as this piece. Excavation photographs show fragments of these large roundels in place as they were excavated, and it appears that they were originally placed between square posts and formed a balustrade. This roundel is pierced in the center and has decoration on both sides consisting of radiating palmettes and heart shaped leaves.The city of Ctesiphon was located on the east bank of the Tigris River, 20 miles (32 km) south of modern Baghdad in Iraq. It flourished for more than 800 years as the capital of the Parthians and the Sasanians, the last two dynasties to rule the ancient Near East befor