Urartu Bracelet with Animal Heads

9th-6th century BC. A bronze round-section penannular bracelet with opposed beast-head terminals. See The British Museum, 'Annual Report of the General Progress of the Museums for the year 1936' in Natural History, 1937, pp.10-11, accession no.1936,0613.188. 66 grams, 68mm wide (2 3/4"). London art market 1979. Property of a gentleman living in central London. A similar bracelet was found during the excavations of a Urartu site at the castle of Çavu?tepe, near Van. The necropolis dates to the kingdom of Sarduri II (764-735 BC) who built the fortress. The bracelet was found in a grave and considering that the Urartians were the ancestors of the Proto-Armenians, it could be interpreted as an afterlife gift deposited in honour of the god Vahagn, the Dragon Reaper. [No Reserve]
Condition Report: Fine condition.