A Charming Luristan Bronze Horse, ca. 1200 - 800 BCE

A charming bronze figure of a horse, standing on four slender, slightly splayed legs, with an elongated body, gracefully arched neck, and long, downward-pointing muzzle. The head is simply modeled, with a prominent forehead and small projecting ears, while the long tail extends outward and downward from the hindquarters. A raised projection on the back suggests a stylized saddle or attachment. The figure is characterized by its simplified, almost geometric form, with an emphasis on the horse's distinctive silhouette rather than anatomical detail. The surface has developed a dark brown and green patina with areas of mineral encrustation. Horses played an important role in the cultures of ancient western Iran, where they were valued for transportation, warfare, and as symbols of wealth and prestige. Small bronze representations of horses are among the distinctive animal figures associated with the Luristan bronze-working tradition of the late second and early first millennia BCE. Their stylized forms reflect the skill of local metalworkers in capturing the essential characteristics of an animal through relatively simple casting techniques. Medium: Bronze Dimensions: Length: 3 inches (7.5 cm) Condition: Minor surface losses and wear, dark brown patina and areas of mineral encrustation, the figure is intact and in good condition overall. Provenance: Private Collection of Robert Cummings, Palm Beach, Florida, acquired between the mid-1960s and early 1970s. Thence by descent to the present owner.