1st millennium BC. A bronze vessel with drum-shaped body decorated in repoussé with an eagle to the back with outspread wings; to either side a pair of lions attacking a bull to the centre; conical funnel-shaped mouth to the top with elongated spout. Cf. British Museum accession number: 128600 for type. 644 grams, 24.5cm (9 1/2"). Property of a North London lady; gifted from her father's collection; formerly with a Mayfair gallery, London, UK; previously acquired in the 1980s. The region of Luristan in western Iran saw a rich tradition of bronze production in the early part of the first millennium BC. Virtually all of the surviving bronzes originate from cemeteries or stone-built graves found within the region. Decorated vessels with animal motifs, such as this are very characteristic of the region. The depiction of animals, especially bulls, was a favourite motif in Iran, where they enjoyed celebrating their agricultural heritage and prowess by depicting such subject matters on even everyday objects.