Luristan Janus-Headed Bronze Standard, ex Christie's

**Originally Listed At $400**

Ancient Near East, northwestern Iran, Luristan, ca. 1000 to 600 BCE. A cast-bronze standard featuring the Janus-headed god "Sraosha" grasping the necks of two rampant lions shown at the top. The bottom of the standard boasts the form of a tall bell, and a narrow neck flares into a discoid rim at the top. Thick layers of brown, russet, and green patina have formed across the standard. Sraosha, a Zoroastrian deity, represents the conscience and observance of the followers of the Zoroastrian religion and would have been a significant god in ancient Luristan. Size: 2.5" W x 10.4" H (6.4 cm x 26.4 cm); 10.875" H (27.6 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Artemis Gallery; ex-John Piscopo collection, San Diego, California, USA; ex-Christie's, London, South Kensington Antiquities auction (sale 8126, September 23, 1998, part of lot 246)

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#140433
Condition Report: Upper body with deity and lions reattached to lower body, and repair to neck of one lion, with resurfacing and light overpainting along break lines. Small chips to neck of lower body, with softening to some finer details, light encrustations, and minor abrasions. Light earthen deposits as well as great green, brown, and russet patina throughout. Old inventory number "Lu 46" written in both black and white ink on lower body.