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Identification and Creation

Object Number
2005.78.A-C
Title
"Master of Animals" Finial and Stand
Classification
Sculpture
Work Type
sculpture
Date
8th century BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Asia, Luristan (Iran)
Period
Iron Age
Culture
Iranian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/48595

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Bronze
Technique
Cast, lost-wax process
Dimensions
Overall height: 45.5 x 8.4 x 3.7 cm (17 15/16 x 3 5/16 x 1 7/16 in.)
Finial itself: 21.3 x 8.4 x 2.7 cm (8 3/8 x 3 5/16 x 1 1/16 in.)
Stand: 29.6 x 3.7 cm (11 5/8 x 1 7/16 in.)
Pin: 18.5 x 1.3 cm (7 5/16 x 1/2 in.)
Technical Details

Chemical Composition: XRF data from Artax 1
Alloy: Bronze
Alloying Elements: copper, tin
Other Elements: lead, iron, arsenic
Comments: The stand has a higer level of lead and arsenic than the pin or the standard.
K. Eremin, January 2014

XRF data from Tracer
Alloy: Bronze
Alloying Elements: copper, tin
Other Elements: lead, iron, silver, antimony, arsenic
Comments: The stand has a higer level of lead and arsenic than the pin or the standard.
K. Eremin, January 2014

Technical Observations: The patina is dark green and black with small areas of red. The surface is fairly well preserved, although layers of corrosion cover some areas and obscure details. The 3-mm hole above the head at the top appears to be a casting flaw.

The irregular shapes and fluid lines of many of the details indicate that the model was made directly in the wax. The wax would have been shaped over a central cylindrical core, which would have created the vertical hollow used to receive the pin joining the finial and support. The pin shaft is integral with the vase-shaped decoration at the top. The lower segment of the pin appears to be inserted into the column-shaped support, where it is now corroded in place. Most surface details were probably made in the wax model, but elongated punch marks along many areas of higher relief are slightly sharper and were probably made in the metal. The neck of one of the feline figures and the arm of the central figure on the opposite side show a soft juncture and gap, probably the result of metal flowing to this part of the mold from opposite directions and meeting but not coalescing. They give the impression of a cast-on repair but are the result of a single pour.


Henry Lie (submitted 2012)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
From the collection of David M. Tobey. The piece was a gift of Mr. Tobey's uncle, David Lilienthal, to Mr. Tobey's mother. Mr. Tobey believes that David Lilienthal, who was working on development projects in Iran, received the object as a gift from the late Shah of Iran.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of David M. Tobey in memory of David E. Lilienthal
Accession Year
2005
Object Number
2005.78.A-C
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Description
This bronze "Master of Animals" finial is mounted on a bottle-shaped support and held in place by a metal rod attached to the top of the support. A poppy-headed dress pin was inserted from above, further stabilizing the mount. The Master of Animals has bovine (or goat?) ears and a second face at the waist area. Rooster heads protrude from the flanks of the stylized lions.

Depicting a demonic figure grappling with two felines, this finial is typical of the bronze utensils and ornaments of Iron Age Luristan (west Iran), which are adorned with stylized representations of animals and monsters.

Publication History

  • Harvard University Art Museums, Harvard University Art Museums Annual Report 2004-2005 (Cambridge, MA, 2005), p. 12.

Exhibition History

  • Re-View: S422 Ancient & Byzantine Art & Numismatics, Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Cambridge, 04/12/2008 - 06/18/2011

Subjects and Contexts

  • Ancient Bronzes

Related Objects

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu