8th century BC. A superb bronze chamfron composed of a single sheet with chased decoration, the frontal panel with facing winged genius deity dressed in short-sleeved tunic and boots, a conical headdress resting on his head, an armoured collar protecting his neck; the body surrounded by four open wings; three embossed rosettes below and to each side; mounted on a custom-made display stand. See Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 1, London, 2002; Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 2, London, 2004. 1.9 kg total, 38cm including stand (15"). Property of a London gentleman; previously in a UK private collection, since the 1990s; accompanied by an archaeological report by military specialist Raffaele DÂ’Amato; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10199-167387. Bronze protections for Assyrian, Urartu, Phoenician and Levantine chariot horses have been widely attested in Near Eastern archaeology (ChristieÂ’s, 2002, pp.30-31; ChristieÂ’s, 2004, pp.38-39"). The figure of the genius appearing on weapons and horse ornaments had an apotropaic function, protecting the warrior, the rider and even the horse, and therefore was connected with male worshippers. [a video of this item will be available on Timeline Auctions website.]