Ancient Near East, Northwestern Iran / Turkey, Luristan, ca. 1000 to 700 BCE. A wonderful ensemble of bronze finials, all of tubular form and enveloped in verdant green patinas evocative of ancient Luristan. The largest displays a carinated silhouette, while the other 3 feature incised, flared, anthropomorphic, and zoomorphic decorations. Finials like these would have capped would have capped standards in the style of a "master of animals," a subhuman figure standing above the heads and necks of equally stylized, somewhat leonine creatures (these finials are those stylized faces). Many of these standards were removed from Luristan in the 1800s and early 1900s without proper archaeological excavation; only two have been scientifically excavated. As a result, their true function is unknown. Suggestions for their interpretation have ranged from religious depictions of deities, idols, talismans, etc., to utilitarian such as parts of chariots or funerary rituals. Size of largest: 7.2" L x 1" W (18.3 cm x 2.5 cm)

Provenance: private Everett, Massachusetts, USA collection; largest: purchased from seller in Boulder, Colorado, USA in June 19, 2016; ex-estate sale, 2002; second largest: ex-Marcel Gibrat collection, USA, June 19, 2020; 2 most petite: ex-Artemis Gallery, Louisville, Colorado, USA, October 11, 2016, lot 25; ex-J. Piscopo collection, San Diego, California, USA

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#183245

Some minor chips and abrasions, otherwise intact. Softening to details. Heavy patina and oxidation throughout all.