Ancient Luristan Bronze Chariot Horse Bit Circa 9th-7th century B.C.

 
A superb quality, ancient Luristan Bronze chariot horse bit, circa 10th-7th century B.C. consists of a pair of large cheekpieces (psalia) on either side. Each cheek-piece finely modeled and cast, by a lost-wax process, in the form of a striding horned mouflon on a groundline, with a head and neck of the feline appearing at the back of the mouflon. two rings on the back of each for attachment, a large circular perforation at the center for the thick bit, round in section with coiled ends. 


MEASUREMENTS: 
 
Cheek pieces: 13.5 cm x 11cm (5.32 inches x 4.33 inches). 
The overall length of the bit 24.5 cm (9.65 inches). 
 
WEIGHT: 762grams (1.68 pounds). 
 
CONDITION: The object is intact and in excellent condition overall with areas of deep green and brown surface patina. 
 
The Luristan bronze horse bits were made between 10th-7th century B.C. During the period of 300 years they were manufactured in many different styles and shapes with the cheekpieces in the form of various animals, differing expression of the class of artistic performance, quality of the casting and the composition of the bronze alloy. This particular example is one of the finest examples of Luristan horse bits, reveals the Luristan craftsman’s great skill in modeling and casting by the lost-wax process. The small stylized feline, attacking from the back of the animal, illustrates the remarkable combination of natural and fantastic. 


REFERENCES: 

1. Bronzes du Luristan: Enigmes de l'Iran ancien (IIIe-Ier millénaire avant J-C). PARIS MUSEES (17 March 2008). 

2. Equus frenatus MORSI DALLA COLLEZIONE GIANNELLI. 
 
3) A Survey of Persian Art: from Prehistoric Times to the Present by Arthur Upham Pope Volume VII. 
 
4) Iran in the Ancient East by Ernest E. Herzfeld.