LOT 0234

Urartian Bronze Cuirass Belt with Animals

8TH-7TH CENTURY B.C.

13 3/4 in. (6.4 kg total, 35 cm high including stand).

Displaying two repoussé registers of animals including lions, antelope and birds processing right between geometric borders, stylised flower heads to one terminal; attachment perforations to upper and lower edges; one rounded terminal, one terminating with a narrow arm and D-shaped lug; mounted on an adjustable custom-made display stand.

UK private collection before 2000.
UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.

Accompanied by an academic report by Raffaele D'Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11745-202242.

Cf. Есаян, С. А., ‘Погребения VI-V вв. до н. э. в горах Шамшадина’ (Esayan, S.A., Burials of the VI-V centuries BCE in the mountains of Shamshadin) in СА, 1965, 3, pp.229-232; Born H., Seidl U., Schutzwaffen aus Assyrien und Urartu, Sammlung Axel Guttmann IV, Mainz, 1995, AG427, fig.93, AG502 fig.128; see Gorelik, M., Weapons of the Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003.

Protective belts were very popular in the Caucasus, especially among the Urartians, decorated with geometric motifs, or with images of warriors, animals, hunting and mythological tales. They were regarded as a personal item and eventually buried with the warrior.