c. 2000- 7th century BC. Western Asiatic. Western Asiatic Master of Animals Sceptre . A central tube terminating into a human head. Flanked by animals on either side, with curving haunches and tails below. It was probably used during religious rituals. The Master of Animals or Lord of Animals is a motif in ancient art showing a human between and grasping two confronted animals. It is very widespread in the art of the Ancient Near East. The figure is normally male, but not always, the animals may be realistic or fantastical, and the figure may have animal elements such as horns, or an animal upper body. Unless he is shown with specific divine attributes, he is typically described as a hero. In Western Asiatic Art the motif is extremely common, and often highly stylized. In terms of its composition the Master of Animals motif compares with another very common motif in the art of the ancient Near East and Mediterranean, that of two confronted animals flanking and grazing on a Tree of Life. Provenance: From an old British collection of Asian Art formed in the 1990 on the UK and European art market. Size: L:450mm / W:85mm ; 420g