WESTERN ASIATIC BRONZE BULL FIGURINE

Ca. 1200-900 BC
A cast bronze figurine depicts a slender-bodied bull standing on all fours, with a raised small tail and a long neck supporting a head adorned with impressive, curved horns. The facial features are simplified, creating a sense of elegance and abstraction. Notably, the dewlap of the bull is adorned with a concentric circles design, while horizontal incisions embellish the legs. Bronze animal figurines, like this bull, held significant cultural and symbolic roles in Bronze Age societies. They were not merely decorative objects but were imbued with meaning and function. The bull, in particular, was a prominent and revered animal in various ancient civilizations. It symbolized strength, fertility, and power, often associated with deities and natural forces. These figurines might have been used in ceremonial contexts, placed in sanctuaries, or employed in ritualistic offerings or processions.
Size: L:90mm / W:80mm ; 75g
Provenance: Private UK collection; From an old London collection formed in the 1990s.
Estimate: GBP 400 - 600