ITEM: Ibex figurine MATERIAL: Bronze CULTURE: Bronze Age PERIOD: 1600 - 1000 B.C DIMENSIONS: 38 mm x 25 mm CONDITION: Good condition PROVENANCE: Ex Dutch private collection, collected before 1990s Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license The bronze ibex statuettes from Luristan, dating primarily from the early 1st millennium BCE (c. 1000–650 BCE), represent some of the most celebrated masterworks of the ancient Near Eastern Iron Age. Crafted by nomadic or semi-nomadic metallurgists in the mountainous Zagros region of western Iran, these small-scale sculptures are renowned for their sophisticated lost-wax casting and distinctive stylization. The wild ibex—a native mountain goat distinguished by its sweeping, exaggeratedly curved horns—served as a central motif in Luristan art, symbolizing grace, agility, and the wild power of the natural world that surrounded these ancient pastoral communities. Artistically, these statuettes balance naturalistic observation with bold decorative abstraction. Master metalsmiths emphasized the animal's defining traits, particularly the majestic, ridged horns that often form dramatic sweeping arcs, sometimes looping back to merge seamlessly with the body or crest. Whether cast as freestanding figurines, elaborate vessel handles, or ornamental finials (often paired symmetrically or stylized as "Master of Animals" iconography), the pieces display an extraordinary sense of fluid rhythm and tension. Despite their compact, portable size—tailored to a mobile lifestyle—they convey remarkable presence and monumental proportion. Functionally and culturally, Luristan bronzes were frequently deposited in elite burials as grave goods, suggesting a deeply ritualistic or apotropaic significance. The ibex statuettes were likely tied to religious beliefs concerning fertility, protection, and the spiritual relationship between humans and the highland fauna. Beyond their votive or symbolic roles, many served utilitarian purposes as cheekpieces for horse bits, pin heads, or standards mounted on stone bases. Today, these intricate bronze artifacts remain enduring symbols of the technical brilliance and artistic imagination of the Zagros mountain metalworkers.