Ancient Near East, Luristan, ca. 1000 to 650 BCE. An impressive copper mace head in the shape of a standing bull, his horns tilted forward and his tail up and perked. The ancient weapon would have been functional as a mace head but its artistry is also clear in its simplicity. The taut geometry of the piece is classically Luristani. Metal workshops were centered around the larger settlements of the warmer, lower plains of Western Luristan and for much of the period production of items like these were tightly controlled by the state. However, the lifestyle of the majority of Bronze Age inhabitants of Luristan was as nomadic herdsmen, as this bull attests. Size: 2.25" L x 1" W x 1.5" H (5.7 cm x 2.5 cm x 3.8 cm)

Provenance: private Everett, Massachusetts, USA collection, purchased from Artemis Gallery, April 22, 2016, lot 3a; ex-private P.J. Piscopo collection; ex-M. Pedersen collection, acquired prior to 1990

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#183283

Minor wear with surface nicks and abrasions, otherwise quite excellent. Green patina and dark toning.