Ancient Near East, Luristan, modern day Iran, ca. 1000 to 600 BCE. This is a pair of bronze hollow tubular finials that would have capped standards in the style of a "master of animals," a subhuman figure standing above the heads and necks of equally stylized, somewhat leonine creatures (these finials are those stylized faces). 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. Size of largest: 4.5" H (11.4 cm)

Provenance: Ex-J. Piscopo Collection, San Diego, CA

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#113632

Each intact and near choice, with dark patina.