c.8th-7th century B.C. A bifacial bronze sceptre head formed as a Master of Animals atop a slightly later collared tubular stem with flared foot, the finialposed of two addorsed bovines bound at the feet, stylised birds standing on their backs looking up towards two birds' heads facing down and joined to slender crescentic arms representing slender beasts with ridged backs and roaring mouths, each in the grip of the animal master, a third bird face in relief facing forwards between, the master with tubular body, animal-like ears, prominent nose above a small mouth, wearing collars, neck rings and tiered headdress with bovine head peering over the top; same design to both faces; mounted on a custom-made display base. Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, accession number 1996.82.1; 30.97.4; 30.97.5, for similar. 940 grams, 42.5 cm high (16 3/4 in."). Acquired Iran 1967. Property of a central London gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is apanied by AIAD certificate number no.11156-188108. [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions ]Condition Report: Fine condition, chipped.