ANCIENT BRONZE VESSEL WITH ANIMALS

Elamite, Ca. 2nd millennium BC
A finely crafted bronze beaker boasting an exquisite concave body with an everted, flat rim. Its striking decoration is comprised of a register featuring stylised, horned animals walking along the baseline. These creatures are distinguished by their slender bodies, long legs, detailed hooves, and heads with large eyes and pronounced snouts. Their most notable features, however, are the impressive pairs of horns that crown their heads, lending them a regal and formidable appearance. The register is bordered by intricate upper and lower bands of interlocking patterns, which add depth and complexity to the piece. In terms of its function, this beaker likely served as a vessel for drinking or pouring liquids and would have been a luxurious and highly prized possession. It's intricate design and expert craftsmanship suggests that it may have also held symbolic significance, perhaps serving as a status symbol or a representation of religious or cultural values.
Size: L:220mm / W:150mm ; 660g
Provenance: Property of an Oxfordshire art professional; previously in an old British collection, formed in the 1980s on the UK / International art markets.
Estimate: GBP 750 - 1500