13th Oct, 2023 11:00
THREE-DAY AUCTION - Fine Chinese Art / 中國藝術集珍 / Buddhism & Hinduism
717
A LURISTAN ‘MASTER OF ANIMALS’ BRONZE STANDARD FINIAL, IRAN, CIRCA 1000-650 BC
Sold for €2,080
including Buyer's Premium
The tubular base surmounted by a stylized Janus-headed figure flanked on both sides by mythical beasts whose paws are placed together on the central figure’s chest. The figure is boldly cast with detail work along the waist and legs. The face has a broad nose, large eyes, and prominent ears. The bronze has a naturally grown patina with malachite and cuprite encrustations.
Provenance: Galerie Persépolis, Brussels, exhibited from 28 October to 13 November 1971. Collection of Monsieur H., Brussels, Belgium, acquired from the above. Collection Madame D.T., acquired from the above.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, few nicks, light scratches, minor losses, signs of weathering and corrosion, and encrustations.
Weight: 263.2 g
Dimensions: Height 14.7 cm (incl. stand), 12.2 cm (excl. stand)
Please click here to read the full description
Luristan bronzes are small cast and decorated objects from the Early Iron Age (first millennium BC) which have been found in large numbers in Lorestan province and Kermanshah in western Iran. They include a great number of ornaments, tools, weapons, horse fittings, and a smaller number of vessels including situlae and are characterized by a wide range of idiosyncratic forms and a highly stylized conception of human and animal representation. Those from recorded excavations were generally found in burials. The ethnicity of the people who created them remains unclear, though they may well have been Indo-European, possibly related to the modern Lur people who have given their name to the area. Luristan bronze objects came to the notice of the world art market from the late 1920s onwards. They were excavated in considerable quantities by local people and are found today in many of the world’s most important museums.
The Master of Animals is a motif in ancient art showing a human between and grasping two confronted animals. The subject is widespread in the art of the Ancient Near East and Egypt. Although such figures are not all deities, the term may be a generic name for several deities from a variety of cultures with close relationships to the animal kingdom or in part animal form (in cultures where that is not the norm). These figures control animals and are responsible for their continued reproduction and availability for hunters. The Greek god shown as ‘Master of Animals’ is usually Apollo, one of the gods of the hunt. Shiva has the epithet Pasupathi meaning the ‘Lord of animals’, and these figures may derive from an archetype. Chapter 39 of the Book of Job has been interpreted as an assertion of the deity of the Hebrew Bible as Master of Animals.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related Luristan bronze standard finial, 19.2 cm high, also dated circa 1000-650 BC, in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number M.76.97.91. Compare a closely related Luristan bronze standard finial, 20.5 cm high, also dated circa 1000-650 BC, in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number M.76.97.94.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 9 June 2022, lot 24
Price: USD 31,500 or approx. EUR 29,000 converted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Luristan bronze goddess, circa 9th-7th century BC
Expert remark: Note the size (13.7 cm)
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 4 June 2015, lot 154
Price: USD 23,750 or approx. EUR 27,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Luristan bronze goddess finial, circa 9th-7th century BC
Expert remark: Note the slightly larger size (18.4 cm)
The tubular base surmounted by a stylized Janus-headed figure flanked on both sides by mythical beasts whose paws are placed together on the central figure’s chest. The figure is boldly cast with detail work along the waist and legs. The face has a broad nose, large eyes, and prominent ears. The bronze has a naturally grown patina with malachite and cuprite encrustations.
Provenance: Galerie Persépolis, Brussels, exhibited from 28 October to 13 November 1971. Collection of Monsieur H., Brussels, Belgium, acquired from the above. Collection Madame D.T., acquired from the above.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, few nicks, light scratches, minor losses, signs of weathering and corrosion, and encrustations.
Weight: 263.2 g
Dimensions: Height 14.7 cm (incl. stand), 12.2 cm (excl. stand)
Please click here to read the full description
Luristan bronzes are small cast and decorated objects from the Early Iron Age (first millennium BC) which have been found in large numbers in Lorestan province and Kermanshah in western Iran. They include a great number of ornaments, tools, weapons, horse fittings, and a smaller number of vessels including situlae and are characterized by a wide range of idiosyncratic forms and a highly stylized conception of human and animal representation. Those from recorded excavations were generally found in burials. The ethnicity of the people who created them remains unclear, though they may well have been Indo-European, possibly related to the modern Lur people who have given their name to the area. Luristan bronze objects came to the notice of the world art market from the late 1920s onwards. They were excavated in considerable quantities by local people and are found today in many of the world’s most important museums.
The Master of Animals is a motif in ancient art showing a human between and grasping two confronted animals. The subject is widespread in the art of the Ancient Near East and Egypt. Although such figures are not all deities, the term may be a generic name for several deities from a variety of cultures with close relationships to the animal kingdom or in part animal form (in cultures where that is not the norm). These figures control animals and are responsible for their continued reproduction and availability for hunters. The Greek god shown as ‘Master of Animals’ is usually Apollo, one of the gods of the hunt. Shiva has the epithet Pasupathi meaning the ‘Lord of animals’, and these figures may derive from an archetype. Chapter 39 of the Book of Job has been interpreted as an assertion of the deity of the Hebrew Bible as Master of Animals.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related Luristan bronze standard finial, 19.2 cm high, also dated circa 1000-650 BC, in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number M.76.97.91. Compare a closely related Luristan bronze standard finial, 20.5 cm high, also dated circa 1000-650 BC, in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number M.76.97.94.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 9 June 2022, lot 24
Price: USD 31,500 or approx. EUR 29,000 converted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Luristan bronze goddess, circa 9th-7th century BC
Expert remark: Note the size (13.7 cm)
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 4 June 2015, lot 154
Price: USD 23,750 or approx. EUR 27,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Luristan bronze goddess finial, circa 9th-7th century BC
Expert remark: Note the slightly larger size (18.4 cm)
Zacke Live Online Bidding
Our online bidding platform makes it easier than ever to bid in our auctions! When you bid through our website, you can take advantage of our premium buyer's terms without incurring any additional online bidding surcharges.
To bid live online, you'll need to create an online account. Once your account is created and your identity is verified, you can register to bid in an auction up to 12 hours before the auction begins.
Intended Spend and Bid Limits
When you register to bid in an online auction, you will need to share your intended maximum spending budget for the auction. We will then review your intended spend and set a bid limit for you. Once you have pre-registered for a live online auction, you can see your intended spend and bid limit by going to 'Account Settings' and clicking on 'Live Bidding Registrations'.
Your bid limit will be the maximum amount you can bid during the auction. Your bid limit is for the hammer price and is not affected by the buyer’s premium and VAT. For example, if you have a bid limit of €1,000 and place two winning bids for €300 and €200, then you will only be able to bid €500 for the rest of the auction. If you try to place a bid that is higher than €500, you will not be able to do so.
Online Absentee and Telephone Bids
You can now leave absentee and telephone bids on our website!
Absentee Bidding
Once you've created an account and your identity is verified, you can leave your absentee bid directly on the lot page. We will contact you when your bids have been confirmed.
Telephone Bidding
Once you've created an account and your identity is verified, you can leave telephone bids online. We will contact you when your bids have been confirmed.
Classic Absentee and Telephone Bidding Form
You can still submit absentee and telephone bids by email or fax if you prefer. Simply fill out the Absentee Bidding/Telephone bidding form and return it to us by email at office@zacke.at or by fax at +43 (1) 532 04 52 20. You can download the PDF from our Upcoming Auctions page.
How-To Guides
How to Create Your Personal Zacke Account
How to Register to Bid on Zacke Live
How to Leave Absentee Bids Online
How to Leave Telephone Bids Online
中文版本的操作指南
创建新账号
注册Zacke Live在线直播竞拍（免平台费）
缺席投标和电话投标
Third-Party Bidding
We partner with best-in-class third-party partners to make it easy for you to bid online in the channel of your choice. Please note that if you bid with one of our third-party online partners, then there will be a live bidding surcharge on top of your final purchase price. You can find all of our fees here. Here's a full list of our third-party partners:
- 51 Bid Live
- EpaiLive
- ArtFoxLive
- Invaluable
- LiveAuctioneers
- the-saleroom
- lot-tissimo
- Drouot
Please note that we place different auctions on different platforms. For example, in general, we only place Chinese art auctions on 51 Bid Live.
Bidding in Person
You must register to bid in person and will be assigned a paddle at the auction. Please contact us at office@zacke.at or +43 (1) 532 04 52 for the latest local health and safety guidelines.
