Near East, Western Iran, Luristan, ca. 9th to 7th century BCE. A stunning matched pair of solid, cast bronze cheekpieces, each depicting a wild feline monster presenting an expressive face with wide-open almond shaped eyes, a protruding fanged snout, and round ears, walking forward with a crescent-shaped wing emerging from its back and a long tail with a curled end on an integral groundline. A wonderful example of ancient Luristani sculptural metalwork. Block stand. Size: 4.75" L x 3.625" H (12.1 cm x 9.2 cm); 4.625" H (11.7 cm) on stand

Bronzes of Luristan are characterized by highly stylized anthropomorphic and zoomorphic representations, such as the distinctive Master of Animals figures, charioteers, as well as the fantastical creatures seen on these horse cheekpieces from bits. These would have been connected to a bar between them that would have been held in the horse's mouth. The circular openings were for securing straps tied around the horse's head. While riding horses was popular among elites in the ancient Near East, such large cheekpieces have only been found in Luristan.

Published in J.M. Eisenberg and R.S. Bianchi, Catalogue of the Egyptian and Near Eastern Bronzes in the Collection of John Kluge, New York, 1992, no. 88-37 and 88-37; published in J. Eisenberg, Art of the Ancient World, 2005, no. 192

Provenance: acquired at Christie's New York, USA; June 2004; ex-Sotheby's, London, July 17-18, 1985, lot 135; J. Kluge collection Charlottesville, Virginia USA; published: J. Eisenberg, Art of the Ancient World, 2005, no. 192

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#123455

Expected surface wear commensurate with age. Gorgeous green patina.