LURISTAN, Central Asia, IIᵉ - Iᵉ millennium B.C. - Lot 3

LURISTAN, Central Asia, IIᵉ - Iᵉ millennium B.C. Bronze torc with two chimera or dragon heads at each end Bronze with green patina, age marks Dimensions: L. 12.3 cm x 10.2 cm Provenance: former private collection, New Jersey, USA, acquired over twenty years ago. Artemis Gallery 4/10/2018 Collection of Professor Kenneth Graham. Luristan, a mountainous region in present-day western Iran, is famous for its bronze objects, particularly zoomorphic torques and ornaments. These pieces, often decorated with mythological or animal motifs, played a symbolic and functional role, associated with rituals or the affirmation of social status. They were probably worn by the elite as prestige ornaments, symbolizing both power and connection with protective or divine entities. Expert: Serge REYNES