1977.38, Rearing ibex figure, Iran, Early Achaemenid, 6th-5th century BCE, bronze


GENERAL DESCRIPTION  
There are many striking animal support figures in Achaemenid Persian art. This figure, which may have been the support of a bronze vessel, is much more common than the tripod in the form of a man-animal (1966.24). The ibex is shown here in a rearing posture; the two front legs are largely missing. The animal's curly hair and facial features are indicated by cold-working on the surface after the body was cast by the lost-wax method. Both the naturalism and the detailed working of the surface indicate a later production date that that of the tripod.

Excerpt from
Anne R. Bromberg, and Karl Kilinski II, Gods, Men, and Heroes: Ancient Art at the Dallas Museum of Art. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1996. 39.

NOTES
On April 24, 1987, former curator of Ancient Art from the Cleveland Museum of Art assessed this object (along with many other ancient objects) and of this piece (1977.38) it is said: Arielle did not believe that this was Achaemenian and said it was probably attributed as such due to the horse rearing up and the handles being vaguely similar to those on Achaemenian vessels. The face, eyes, and shape of the face indicate a later date, possible Parthean. She said this was an expensive yet still accessible area (around $100,000). If left up to her she would take them all off exhibit immediately, study them, and then ship them off to Arthur Beale with the other bronzes for his opinion.

Catalogue essays

Artist/designers

Cultures

Geography 

Process/materials

Historical periods

Individuals

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RELATED OBJECTS 

PROVENANCE 
Until 1977: C. Dikran Kelekian, New York, New York [2]

After 1977: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, purchased by Mary Jane Wilson, Dallas, Texas, from above [1]

[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983 and this object (accessioned September 27, 1977) according to acquisition record in the Collections Records Object File 1977.38.
[2] See document labeled "Memorandum" in the Collections Records Object File.

AUDIO ASSETS 

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IMAGE ASSETS

WEB RESOURCES 
Los Angeles County Museum of Art~See a similar example of a vessel handle.

ARCHIVAL RESOURCES

FUN FACTS

TEACHING IDEAS

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Apply to objects where number equals 1977.38

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General Description
 
There are many striking animal support figures in Achaemenid Persian art. This figure, which may have been the support of a bronze vessel, is much more common than the tripod in the form of a man-animal (1966.24). The ibex is shown here in a rearing posture; the two front legs are largely missing. The animal's curly hair and facial features are indicated by cold-working on the surface after the body was cast by the lost-wax method. Both the naturalism and the detailed working of the surface indicate a later production date that that of the tripod.

Excerpt from
Anne R. Bromberg, and Karl Kilinski II, Gods, Men, and Heroes: Ancient Art at the Dallas Museum of Art. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1996. 39.

Fun Facts

Archival Resources

Web Resources
 
Los Angeles County Museum of Art~See a similar example of a vessel handle.

Notes
On April 24, 1987, former curator of Ancient Art from the Cleveland Museum of Art assessed this object (along with many other ancient objects) and of this piece (1977.38) it is said: Arielle did not believe that this was Achaemenian and said it was probably attributed as such due to the horse rearing up and the handles being vaguely similar to those on Achaemenian vessels. The face, eyes, and shape of the face indicate a later date, possible Parthean. She said this was an expensive yet still accessible area (around $100,000). If left up to her she would take them all off exhibit immediately, study them, and then ship them off to Arthur Beale with the other bronzes for his opinion.

Catalogue essays

Artist/designers

Cultures

Geography 

Process/materials

Historical periods

Individuals

Subject terms

RELATED OBJECTS 

PROVENANCE 
Until 1977: C. Dikran Kelekian, New York, New York [2]

After 1977: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, purchased by Mary Jane Wilson, Dallas, Texas, from above [1]

[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983 and this object (accessioned September 27, 1977) according to acquisition record in the Collections Records Object File 1977.38.
[2] See document labeled "Memorandum" in the Collections Records Object File.

AUDIO ASSETS 

VIDEO ASSETS

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Apply To
Objects
number
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1977.38
tags
#draft
#completed
animals (Animalia kingdom): AAT: 300249395
%copyedited_Gail
*Classical Art
@Bowling
%Archived
handles: AAT: 300024927
Lost-wax process: AAT: 300053113
bronze: AAT: 300010957
Persia (historical region/Asia): TGN: 7024079
Near Eastern (Early Western World): AAT: 300019571
Middle East (region): TGN: 7001526
ibexes: AAT: 300250124
source file
object_notes_2_c-0268.xml.nores