Finial

Anthropomorphic tube flanked by rampant animals. A human head and torso at top: two human faces, one on each side of tube, with prominent ears and nose. Raised lines mark a necklace and bands on the chest. A second human face, also with prominent nose, in the center of the tube. The figure with torso grasps the necks of two creatures with cock’s combs, gaping jaws, and prominent eye-coils. The creatures’ elongated necks terminate in bird heads, facing downwards. The lower part of the tube consists of the second figure’s haunches and legs, rendered sculpturally.

Historical period(s)
Iron Age II - III, ca. 1000-500 BCE
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
H x W x D: 19.5 x 6.6 x 2.4 cm (7 11/16 x 2 5/8 x 15/16 in)
Geography
Iran, Luristan
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John B. Bunker in memory of Dr. Edith Porada
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S1996.78
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Metalwork
Type

Finial

Keywords
bird, Iran, Iron Age II (ca. 1250 - 800 BCE), Iron Age III (ca. 800 - 500 BCE)
Provenance

To the late 1950s or 1960s
H. Khan Monif (died 1968), New York to the late 1950s or 1960s [1]

From the late 1950s or 1960s to 1996
Emma C. Bunker, purchased in New York City from H. Khan Monif in the late 1950s or 1960s [2]

From 1996
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, given by Mr. John B. and Mrs. Emma C. Bunker, Wheatland, WY, in 1996

Notes:

[1] According to Provenance Remark 1 in the object record.

[2] See note 1.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

John B. Bunker and Emma C. Bunker
H. Kahn Monif died 1968

Description

Anthropomorphic tube flanked by rampant animals. A human head and torso at top: two human faces, one on each side of tube, with prominent ears and nose. Raised lines mark a necklace and bands on the chest. A second human face, also with prominent nose, in the center of the tube. The figure with torso grasps the necks of two creatures with cock's combs, gaping jaws, and prominent eye-coils. The creatures' elongated necks terminate in bird heads, facing downwards. The lower part of the tube consists of the second figure's haunches and legs, rendered sculpturally.

Label

An important industry in bronze and copper artifacts flourished in the region of Luristan, western Iran, between about 1400 and 600 B.C.E.  This object is one of the most typical Luristan bronzes: a finial, or ornamental pole top, which was originally mounted on a bottle-shaped support (see S1995.111).  The finials were often fashioned in the form of a demon flanked by panthers (or other leonine creatures).  As in this example, the flanking leonine creatures often terminate in predatory heads with a cock's head projecting from the neck.

Collection Area(s)
Ancient Near Eastern Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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