standard with two facing panthers
Iran, Luristan,
Ca.1000 to 800 B.C., Bronze.
Height: 6 1/2 inches.

This object is of a type described in the liturature as a standard, which consists of a base with a socket which would have topped a staff or scepter, with figures on top. In this example there are two panthers rearing up confronting each other, a favorite motif in ancient the Ancient Near East. Luristan at this time was inhabited by nomadic peoples who we know from their tomb mounds, in which many bronze objects were found, such as this standard. Their art is filled with animal motifs and belong to what is termed "animal style" art which was shared by the nomadic people living from Europe to Asia across the steppes and Mongolia.