ITEM: Ibex figurine
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Bronze Age, Luristan
PERIOD: 1600 - 1000 B.C
DIMENSIONS: 44 mm x 28 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Dutch private collection, collected before 1990s

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 4 to 6 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the amount of the sale, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Ibex figurines from the Luristan period are fascinating artifacts that provide insights into the artistic and cultural achievements of ancient civilizations in what is now modern-day western Iran. These figurines, typically crafted from bronze using the lost-wax casting technique, depict ibexes with distinctive curved horns and stylized features. They were produced during the Iron Age in the region of Luristan, which was home to a diverse array of peoples and cultures known for their metallurgical skills and nomadic lifestyles.

The ibex, with its graceful form and imposing horns, held symbolic significance in the religious and cultural beliefs of ancient societies in the Near East. In Luristan, ibex figurines may have been associated with rituals, ceremonies, or beliefs related to hunting, fertility, or spiritual protection. The choice to depict ibexes in bronze reflects the importance of these animals in the lives of the people of Luristan, who relied on hunting for sustenance and survival in their rugged mountainous environment.

The craftsmanship and artistry evident in Luristan ibex figurines highlight the technical mastery and creative expression of ancient Luristan metallurgists. These figurines showcase the skillful manipulation of bronze to create lifelike representations of ibexes, capturing the essence of these animals with remarkable detail and precision. Additionally, the stylized and abstracted features of the ibex figurines suggest a symbolic or ritualistic purpose, inviting further exploration into the religious beliefs and cultural practices of the people of Luristan during the Iron Age.

Good condition

4.4 x 2.8 cm