Kul-e Farah Relief VI

Carved within the same century as reliefs II and V on the northwest face of a boulder just outside the gorge, the composition of this relief centers on a large-scale ruler carried on a platform by four platform-bearers who kneel on one knee. The ruler, whose face appears to have been hacked away, wears a visor-style cap with an extension (or braid?) at the back, and a long, belted garment with a diagonal fringe at the chest and a fringe at the hemline. He may have a short beard and braided hair. Both hands are closed into fists in front of the face with the index fingers pointed. The platform bearers have short beards, chignon hairstyles, round caps and long belted garments with V-shaped fringes at the chest and a fringe along the hem of the skirt. The platform-bearer on the right side (viewer’s perspective) preserves evidence of a bracelet on the right wrist. Behind the ruler are three registers with trios of small-scale individuals measuring about one third his size. They have short beards and braided hair, and most appear to have a visor-like projection at the forehead. Their garments, however, are diverse in length and ornamentation. Particularly notable amongst them is a weapon-bearer in the second register. He wears a knee-length garment with a belt and V-shaped fringes at the chest. He has a quiver with arrowheads projecting above his right shoulder, a dagger tucked into his belt, a long sword with lunette-shape pommel hanging from his waist, and appears to hold up a bow in his left hand. At the bottom, a tenth individual stands facing the platform-bearers.