Ancient Near East, northwestern Iran and Turkey, Luristan, ca. 1000 to 600 BCE. An intriguing cast-bronze standard finial in the form known as the "master of animals." The composition depicts an abstract anthropomorphic figure standing with broad hips and openwork legs while throttling a pair of stylized predators - perhaps griffins, roosters, or lionesses - by their necks. A petite avian-style head protrudes from beneath the neck of each larger zoomorphic head, and a second anthropomorphic face is shown along the chest of the larger figure. The pierced ears and goblet held atop the head of the primary figure perhaps held ornamentation at one time, and the entire upper half is secured within the opening of a slender, bell-shaped lower half. The upper half is covered in thick layers of green and brown patina with scattered areas of azurite patina, and the bottom half exhibits mottled layers of russet and green patina. A fascinating artifact from ancient Luristan! Size: 2.5" W x 13" H (6.4 cm x 33 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.
Cf. "Our Collective Past: A Selection of Objects from Antiquity." Fortuna Fine Arts, Inc., New York, 2006, p. 2, fig. 2.
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
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#143204
Condition
Repair to upper half of top section beneath lowest face, with resurfacing and overpainting along break lines. Possible restoration to upper rim of lower section, but very well done if so. Minor abrasions and light encrustations to both halves, with small nicks to some finer details. Great patina throughout. Tang of top section is adhered within the upper opening of the bottom section and cannot be removed; piece as a whole can be removed from display stand.