A Luristan Janus-Faced Bronze Anthropomorphic Scepter Head (or Tube), Late 2nd to Early 1st

An exceptional, highly expressive, and rare Near Eastern cast bronze anthropomorphic scepter head or ritual tube, measuring four inches in height and masterfully modeled in the traditional Janus-faced style of the ancient Luristan culture. Designed as a hollow cylinder to be hafted onto a wooden or iron staff for shamanic ceremonies or elite tribal display, the upper midsection features two perfectly symmetrical, highly stylized human faces positioned back-to-back. Each abstract face is rendered with distinct disc-shaped eyes, a prominent conical-pointed nose, layered mouth grooves, and sharp lateral protrusions representing ears or ceremonial headwear. The figure is crowned with a beautifully cast collar decorated with a dense, spiraling rope or twisted ribbon pattern, supported below by a slender cylindrical shaft anchored by a succession of deeply molded, raised horizontal ridges at the base. The entire 4-inch artifact is enveloped in a flawless, museum-grade archaeological patina, showing deep layers of vibrant malachite-green mineral crusts intermingled with areas of reddish cuprite oxidation and microscopic earthen encrustations. Culture/Geography: Near Eastern, Western Persia (Luristan / Zagros Mountains). Provenance: Collection from Professor of University of Chicago in IL USA .

Condition
The archaic ritual scepter tube is in pristine, flawless antique condition. Structurally, the 4-inch hollow cast bronze body is completely robust and 100% complete, presenting no modern breaks, missing structural shards, or dynamic re-attachments to the delicate protruding noses, ears, or crown borders. The internal socket is fully clear and open, displaying a dense layer of authentic, ancient mineralized oxidation expanding naturally from the core. The exterior surfaces show only microscopic, natural burial pitting and light handling browning across the ridges, retaining maximum aesthetic uniformity for gallery presentation.