Piravend male horned figure, Iran, Luristan region, c.1000-750 BC
Bronze
Height: 5.3cm
10808 TA
Further images
He stands with legs apart, the stumpy arms at right angles to the diminutive body. The triangular head has concentric circles forming bulging eyes, a thin and prominently hooked nose,...
He stands with legs apart, the stumpy arms at right angles to the diminutive body. The triangular head has concentric circles forming bulging eyes, a thin and prominently hooked nose, two outward-curving horns atop his head, a raised circle between the eyebrows and a protruding knop indicating the phallus. The surface with a light green patina, the tip of one horn restored.
Provenance
Maurice Bouvier, Alexandria, Egypt; exported to Switzerland 1959, thence by descentLiterature
An almost identical example has been referred to as an appliqué for a sheet metal vessel. The slightly curved yet entirely smooth reverse of our example would suit such a purpose. Compare P.R.S. Moorey, A Catalogue of the Ancient Persian Bronzes in the Ashmolean Museum (Oxford, 1971), pl.40, no.215. For other examples compare Bronzes du Luristan (Paris, 2008), p.200, no.206 and for an example with more elongated legs ibid., p.201, no.208
