SculptureIranian8th century BCE

"Master of Animals" Finial and Stand

8th century BCE

Description

This bronze "Master of Animals" finial is mounted on a bottle-shaped support and held in place by a metal rod attached to the top of the support. A poppy-headed dress pin was inserted from above, further stabilizing the mount. The Master of Animals has bovine (or goat?) ears and a second face at the waist area. Rooster heads protrude from the flanks of the stylized lions. Depicting a demonic figure grappling with two felines, this finial is typical of the bronze utensils and ornaments of Iron Age Luristan (west Iran), which are adorned with stylized representations of animals and monsters.

Classification

Sculpture

Technique

Cast, lost-wax process

Medium

Bronze

Culture

Iranian

Period

Iron Age

Century

8th century BCE

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Ancient and Byzantine Art & Numismatics

Dimensions

Overall height: 45.5 x 8.4 x 3.7 cm (17 15/16 x 3 5/16 x 1 7/16 in.) Finial itself: 21.3 x 8.4 x 2.7 cm (8 3/8 x 3 5/16 x 1 1/16 in.) Stand: 29.6 x 3.7 cm (11 5/8 x 1 7/16 in.) Pin: 18.5 x 1.3 cm (7 5/16 x 1/2 in.)

Provenance

From the collection of David M. Tobey. The piece was a gift of Mr. Tobey's uncle, David Lilienthal, to Mr. Tobey's mother. Mr. Tobey believes that David Lilienthal, who was working on development projects in Iran, received the object as a gift from the late Shah of Iran.