Lot 275

3 Luristan Bronze Animal Figures - Horses, Rams & Bird

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Lot 275
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3 Luristan Bronze Animal Figures - Horses, Rams & Bird
3 Luristan Bronze Animal Figures - Horses, Rams & Bird
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3 Luristan Bronze Animal Figures - Horses, Rams & Bird

Estimate: $450 - $675

Starting Bid: $200

(0 Bids)
by Artemis Fine Arts
June 25, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Ancient Near East, Luristan region, Early Iron Age, ca. 1000 to 700 BCE. A lively group of three Luristan bronze animal figurines, each distilled to its most essential form, where posture and silhouette do the work of anatomy. Together, they capture the spirited abstraction that defines Luristan metalwork, transforming familiar creatures into compact symbols of power and presence. The group comprises a standing quadruped, likely a ram or ibex, rendered with an elongated body, arched neck, and gently curving tail; a smaller animal head fragment with pronounced eyes and snout; and an openwork figure with bent legs and perforated body, possibly representing a stylized animal or composite form. All are cast in bronze and finished with minimal detailing, favoring strong outlines and expressive stance over naturalistic precision. The surfaces retain a mottled green and brown patina, bearing the marks of age and burial. Size of largest (horse): 3.3" L x 0.6" W x 2" H (8.4 cm x 1.5 cm x 5.1 cm)

Animal imagery was central to the visual language of the Luristan region, where such figures may have served as votive offerings, attachments, or elements of larger ritual or utilitarian objects. Horses, goats, and hybrid creatures were closely associated with mobility, fertility, protection, and status, their forms readily adapted into the bold, abstract vocabulary favored by Luristan bronzes. The variation within this group highlights the creative range of local workshops, even within a shared stylistic tradition.

United as a lot, these three figures offer a compact survey of Early Iron Age zoomorphic sculpture from the Zagros Mountains. Small in scale yet rich in character, they stand as evocative remnants of a metalworking culture that prized energy, symbolism, and expressive form over literal representation.

Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection

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Item # 200689

  • Condition: Weathering with nicks, small chips, and abrasions throughout, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, nice presentations with rich patinas and earthen encrustations throughout.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000