HORSE BITE Bronze with dark green patina Well preserved 9.5 x 11 cm Iran, Luristan, 1000-800 BC Provenance Former French private collection, built up between 1990 and 2000 An exceptional bronze horse bit with anthropo-zoomorphic decoration, demonstrating the virtuosity of Luristan bronzeworkers in creating a fantastic hybrid bestiary. The object harmoniously combines the powerful body of a winged bull with a horned human face, creating a composite protective creature characteristic of Near Eastern iconography. The animal's body is depicted standing with all four legs firmly planted on a rectangular base. The musculature is subtly modelled, with particular attention paid to anatomical details: hinged legs with hooves indicated by transverse striations, tail raised in a bow, flanks decorated with incised geometric motifs (rosettes, chevrons, parallel lines) perhaps evoking decorative harnessing or symbolic tribal markings. The wings spread out to the sides, with stylised feathers rendered in parallel incisions, give the creature a celestial and protective dimension. On the animal's back, a circular hole allows the strap or bar of the bit to pass through, a functional element organically integrated into the sculptural composition. The head is the most remarkable element: a human face with schematised but expressive features, topped by crescent-shaped bovine horns. The eyes are suggested by circular protuberances, the nose is prominent and the mouth firmly defined. This anthropo-zoomorphic combination evokes Mesopotamian and Elamite protective divinities, guardians of herds and travellers. At the top, a perched miniature bird completes this hierarchical superposition of the kingdoms, creating a cosmological synthesis: the terrestrial (bull), celestial (wings, bird) and human (face) worlds, united in a single protective entity. In addition to their practical equestrian function, these ornamental Luristan bits had an apotropaic and symbolic dimension, protecting the horse and rider against evil forces. The horse, a prestigious animal associated with war and high social status, deserved a richly ornamented harness to testify to its owner's power. For a similar bit, see Los Angeles County Museum of Art, M.76.97.99 A Luristan Bronze Horse Bit. c. 1000-800 BCE. Exceptional horse bit element in bronze with anthropo-zoomorphic decoration, bearing witness to the virtuosity of Luristan bronzesmiths in creating a fantastic hybrid bestiary. The object harmoniously combines the powerful body of a winged bull with a horned human face, creating a protective composite creature characteristic of Near Eastern iconography. The animal's body is represented standing, the four legs firmly planted on a rectangular base. The musculature is suggested by subtle modeling, with particular attention paid to anatomical details: articulated legs with hooves indicated by transverse striations, tail raised in an arc, flanks adorned with incised geometric motifs (rosettes, chevrons, parallel lines) perhaps evoking decorative harnessing or symbolic tribal marks. The wings deployed laterally, with stylized feathers rendered by parallel incisions, confer upon the creature its celestial and protective dimension. On the animal's back, a circular orifice permitted passage of the strap or bit bar, a functional element organically integrated into the sculptural composition. The head constitutes the most remarkable element: a human face with schematized but expressive features, surmounted by bovine horns deploying in crescent form. The eyes are suggested by circular protuberances, the nose is prominent, the mouth firmly traced. This anthropo-zoomorphic combination evokes Mesopotamian and Elamite protective divinities, guardians of herds and travellers. At the summit, a miniature perched bird completes this hierarchical superposition of realms, creating a cosmological synthesis: the terrestrial world (bull), celestial (wings, bird) and human (face), united in a single protective entity. These ornamental Luristan bits, beyond their practical equestrian function, possessed an apotropaic and symbolic dimension, protecting the horse and its rider against malevolent forces. The horse, a prestigious animal linked to war and elevated social status, merited richly ornamented harnessing bearing witness to its owner's power. For a similar bit see Los Angeles County Museum of Art, M.76.97.99