Ancient Near East, Syro-Hittite, ca. 12th to 8th century BCE. A rare bronze belt with stamped motifs depicting a stag hunt. Stamped into the bronze are repeated images of scampering stags, ibexes, and lions. Each motif repeats three times vertically. Cross- and diamond-shaped forms, also stamped, are between each set of animals. A thin stamped border is at top and bottom, with punched, tiny holes above and below them and around the edges to allow it to be sewn to a leather backing. Similar known belts are composed of two sheets of bronze that are sewn together at one end. This example would have once had a clasping mechanism on its other end. Size: 9.25" W x 2.6" H (23.5 cm x 6.6 cm)
Hittite royalty had game enclosures set up specifically for hunting, and hunting imagery, specifically the stag hunt, was associated with religious ritual. For example, the Sphinx's Gate at Alaca Hoyuk (13th century BCE) and the Lion Gate at Malatya (early 10th century BCE) were both carved with large, monumental hunting scenes featuring the ruling elite, stags, and lions. Processions celebrating ritual hunts passed through these gates at different times of the year, including some where people paraded with standards bearing figures of stags and masked dancers reenacted hunting scenes in front of large audiences. This belt connects explicitly to that imagery and probably belonged to someone of high status, associated with the world of hunting not to survive, but instead to demonstrate their high social standing.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
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#138495
Condition
Repaired and restored at two points along the body. This is well done and not noticeable from the decorated front of the piece. One end of the belt is partially lost and the end is sharp. Modern copper wire has been used to hold the two ends of the belt together. Rich, deep green patina on the surface, with nicely preserved motifs.