ルーリスタン紀元前10世紀から紀元前8世紀 Bronze Votive offering - 7.2 cm

Near Eastern Bronze Bull Figurine – Luristan Culture, 10th to 8th Century BC

A solid cast bronze figurine depicting a powerful bull standing in a characteristic static pose with its head lowered and long outward-curving horns prominently displayed. Rendered in a highly stylised manner, the animal features a compact elongated body supported by four robust legs, with simplified anatomical modelling that emphasizes strength over naturalistic detail. Raised circular bosses on the shoulders and hindquarters, together with the broad muzzle and exaggerated horns, are characteristic decorative features found on small bronze animal sculptures from the ancient Iranian plateau.

Bronze bulls occupied an important symbolic role throughout the ancient Near East, representing power, fertility, protection and divine authority. Within the artistic traditions of Luristan, such animal figures were produced both as independent votive offerings and as decorative attachments for ritual objects, standards or ceremonial equipment. The abstract modelling, compact proportions and expressive silhouette closely correspond to the well-known corpus of Luristan bronzes dating to the Early Iron Age.

The figure displays an attractive archaeological surface with extensive mineral deposits and stable green patination developed over centuries of burial. Areas of earthen encrustation remain preserved across the body, reinforcing its authentic excavated appearance. Despite minor ancient wear, the sculpture retains a strong sculptural presence, with the distinctive horns and powerful stance remaining exceptionally evocative of Iron Age metalworking traditions.

Material: Bronze
Culture: Luristan Culture (Ancient Persia)
Date: 10th to 8th Century BC
Dimensions: 7.2 cm length
Weight: 95.86 g

Provenance: Acquired in Germany. From a Swiss private collection assembled during the 1970s.

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