Sassanian riding a horse facing backwards

[Druzhina]

I have added the detailed description from: Harper, Prudence and Meyers, Peters Silver Vessels of the Sasanian Period. Volume One: Royal Imagery.  The unusual sword position is mentioned but nothing about the unusual riding position.  The only dating is in a foot note: "4th century", other analysis in the paper is to place it in a group with others.

Druzhina
Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers