A Finial of a Standard with the "Lord of Anim... Lot n° 2

Western Asia, Luristan early 1st mill. B.C.. Bronze. H. 28.1 cm Stylized representation of a human figure, whose arms and ears are fused together with the hindquarters of antithetically arranged, likewise heavily stylized animals. The finial, articulated in the same way on both front and back, is worked into a tubular socket at top and bottom. Our piece belongs to a group of standards of the “Master of Animals” type, which varies greatly in the rendering of detail. The separately worked part at the bottom probably served as a base and hence is often described in the literature as a support. Our piece is almost bottle-shaped, which, according to G. Zahlhaas, makes it an early variant, whereas later supports became increasingly tall and slim. Condition: Composed of two parts joined together with a modern brass pin. Surface slightly flaked in a few places, no further damage. Formerly Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 14.04.1991, lot 50. Thereafter priv. coll. D., Paris.