Pin ornament, facing ibexes, 1000-800 BC

Period: Dating: 1000 BC–800 BC Origin: Middle East, Ancient Iran, Luristan Material: Bronze Physical: 15.2cm. (5.9 in.) - 105 g. (3.7 oz.) Catalog: MET.LL.00037 Links to other views: ⇒ Larger View if scripting is off, click the ⇒ instead. • • •

This bronze pin ornament from Luristan portrays two ibexes challenging each other. The pin (now lost) would have been kept in a channel running between their muzzles and their fore and hind legs. The extraordinarily elongated, stylized bodies of the animals and the harmonious balance of curves indicate that this bronze was crafted during the second bronze production period of Luristan, between 1,000 and 800 BC. This is in contrast to the first period (1,200 to 1,000 BC) imbued with northern Mesopotamian, Kassite and Mittanian influences, and the third period (800 to 600 BC) with its almost baroque style. Parallel: “Height 16.5 cm. - Width 7.2 cm. = Luristan, 8th century BC.” (Musee Borely 1975:48#138) Another similar object is on exhibit at the Cernuschi Museum in Paris. Bibliography (for this item) Musée Borely, 1975 Art de l’Ancien Iran. Musée Borely, Marseille, France. (48 # 138)