Ancient Near, East, modern day Iran, Luristan, ca. 1000 to 700 BCE. An incredible example of a bronze hollow tubular standard in the style of a "master of animals". This motif features god-like figures holding the bodies - sometimes necks - of mirrored, stylized zoomorphic creatures. The figures' arms encircle the zoomorphs in what some have seen as an image of control. This example, one of the largest we have seen, features multiple groups of animals - ibexes, dragons, eagles, and cattle - and a being with four anthropomorphic faces, all stacked atop each other. These stand on long, human-like legs above a bell-shaped tube that may have been used for attachment. Size: 2.8" W x 13.6" H (7.1 cm x 34.5 cm); 14.75" H (37.5 cm) on included custom stand.

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 the religious -- depictions of deities, idols, talismans, etc. - to the utilitarian - parts of chariots or used in funerary rituals.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#127668

Repaired and restored on one of the animal heads and where the standard meets the tube. Repairs are very well done and difficult to see. Two of the arms may be lost in an ancient break.