Description:

Ancient Near East, Northwestern Iran, Luristan culture, ca. 1000 to 600 BCE. A charming pendant in the shape of a standing stag, cast from leaded-copper and exhibiting smooth patina in hazy hues of grey, blue, and green. The petite stag supports its elongated body atop four slender legs and has a thick tail draped atop the hind quarters, with an integral suspension loop arching atop the back, and a lengthy neck extending from the shoulders. The triangular head displays characteristic stag features such as a conical snout, bulging eyes, and a slit-form mouth, and from the skull project two enormous antlers with three laterally protruding nodules and a bifurcated upper tip. The stag is a symbol of virility and masculinity, and the yearly antler shedding is symbolic of the annual renewal of the agricultural cycle. Size: 2.5" L x 1.1" W x 2.7" H (6.4 cm x 2.8 cm x 6.9 cm)

For three stylistically similar examples with shorter antlers, please see "The Muse's Song: Selections of Ancient Art." Fortuna Fine Arts, Ltd., New York, 2008, fig. 14.

Another stylistically similar example, with a fawn riding on its back, hammered for GBP 2,390 ($3,128.83) at Christie's, London "A Peaceable Kingdom: The Leo Mildenberg Collection" auction (sale 7017, October 26-27, 2004, lot 373).

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Noah Weber collection, USA, acquired in the 1970s

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#153163

  • Condition: Very slight bending to overall form of some legs and antlers, with light encrustations, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits and wonderful patina throughout.

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July 16, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000