Ancient Near East, northwestern Iran and eastern Turkey, Luristan, ca. 1000 to 600 BCE. A beautiful bronze standard with a janiform figure referred to as "master of animals" due to his popular depiction as a dominating man holding two animals in a conquering pose. The bell-shaped base has triangular raised motifs encircling the rim and a tiered rod projecting upward, and the figure has a hollow shaft for mounting on the rod and is fully removable. The stylized man is depicted identically on both sides; wearing a skirt, a beard under a long drooping nose, bulging circular eyes, a furrowed brow, and arms outstretched, grasping the necks of two ibex or another horned ungulate. A gorgeous and smooth patina in deep red and green hues adorns the surface of this stunning piece. The true function of these elaborate standards is unknown, and 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. Size: 2" W x 7" H (5.1 cm x 17.8 cm)
Exhibited at the Picker Art Gallery, Colgate University, 1987 to 2001.
Provenance: private Franklin, Tennessee, USA collection; ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York, New York, USA; ex-J. Elliot Collection, Tennessee, USA; exhibited at the Picker Art Gallery, Colgate University, 1987 to 2001
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#172650
Condition
Adhesive residue inside base from previous display stand. Minor age-related surface wear, otherwise intact and choice.