Luristan Bronze Votive Figurine

£ 75.00

A Luristan votive figurine finely modelled in bronze, depicting a nude male figure with forearms extended. One hand is held with the palm facing downwards, whilst the other forms a fist. Details of the face and body are carefully rendered. There is a small projection at the feet, likely used to attach the figure to a base in order to stand it upright. The bronze features fine green patination.

Date: Circa 1500-650 BC
Condition: Very fine condition. There are some light encrustations on the bronze.

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Votive offerings were often designed as representations of the gods to which they were dedicated, or occasionally as worshippers of the deity. These figures could be placed at a temple, religious site, or household shrine in order to invoke protection or favour from the god. The hand gestures of this figurine likely hold some religious significance, although exact details of the ritual practices of the peoples who inhabited the Luristan region remain unknown.

Luristan bronze comes from areas of modern day western Iran. In the ancient world it was settled by a number of peoples, such as the Medes, the Kassites, and eventually the Persians. Due to the nomadic nature of many of these civilisations, none of the Luristan bronzes were of great size, since it was required for them to be light and portable. Archaeologists have found enough bronze in the region to suggest it wasn’t a particularly expensive material, and that these objects would have belonged to people with a variety of economic backgrounds.

Weight 107.5 g
Dimensions H 10.6 cm
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Metal

Region