Ancient Near East Bronze Panther Idol 38mm c. 1200-600 BC COA Antiquity wCOA For Sale

Ancient Near Eastern / Luristan Cast Bronze Panther Votive Idol Plaque (38mm — c. 12th–6th Century BC)

Authenticity & Guarantee

• Provenance: Ex-private European collection, legally acquired from international sales; Ancient Near Eastern / Luristan / Syro-Anatolian Sphere.

Item Specifications & Exact Dimensions

• Object: Cast Bronze Panther Idol / Openwork Feline Cult Plaque / Harness Attachment

• Culture / Period: Ancient Near East (Iron Age Luristan / Syro-Anatolian / Levantine Sphere)

• Date Range: Circa 12th Century BC – 6th Century BC (c. 1200 – 600 BC)

• Exact Dimensions: 38 mm length (3.8 cm) × 26 mm height

• Material: Cast Bronze (Copper Alloy)

• Form & Architecture: Cast bronze openwork architectural frame surmounted by a stylized crouching panther/leopard with a pronounced snout and sleek predatory torso; lower section forms a rectangular openwork void/loop engineered for leather strap attachment or altar mounting; reverse exhibits matching concave casting relief

• Condition: Fine ancient condition. Complete openwork silhouette displaying an authentic ancient hairline stress fracture/gap on the forward support leg strut; preserved under a vibrant light green malachite and cuprite patina with sandy-tan calcareous burial encrustations. Free of modern CONTEXT & TYPOLOGICAL LORE

• Panther Iconography & Near Eastern Goddess Cults

  In the Ancient Near East—stretching from the Zagros Mountains of Luristan through Northern Syria and Anatolia—panthers, leopards, and lions were powerful symbols of wild nature and royal authority. Sacred to major Near Eastern deities such as Ishtar (Inanna), Cybele, and Atargatis, predatory felines were depicted as divine guardians and mounts. Small bronze openwork idols featuring panthers were placed in mountain shrines and temple altars as votive offerings to invoke divine protection and victory.

  Luristan & Near Eastern "Animal Style" Bronze Casting

  The equestrian and mountain cultures of the Iron Age Near East were renowned for their mastery of lost-wax bronze casting. Artisans developed the iconic "Animal Style," transforming functional harness gear, votive pins, and cultic plaques into highly stylized animal forms. Openwork fittings with crouching panthers were favored both for personal adornment on leather belts and as apotropaic charms for warhorses and temple furnishings.

  Typological Analysis & Exact Classification

  • Primary Class: Ancient Near Eastern Sacred Bronzes / Animal Style Openwork Plaque

  • Sub-Class: Crouching Panther / Feline Openwork Mount Class

  Comparable Archaeological Examples & Museum Accession Numbers

  • British Museum (Accession No. 134600): Luristan / Iron Age Near Eastern bronze feline openwork plaque mount.

  • Metropolitan Museum of Art (Accession No. 32.161.42): Ancient Near Eastern bronze openwork animal plaque with crouching feline.

  • Louvre Museum (Inv. No. AO 20510): Iron Age Near Eastern bronze panther votive