Circa 8th-7th century B.C. A bronze openwork master of animals sceptre head element, formed in the round as two slender beasts standing on their hind paws, facing each other with roaring mouths, gripping each other's forepaws, their long curled tails forming two small attachment loops (now occluded), cylindrical socket throughout the whole; apanied by a custom-made display stand. Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, accession number 30.97.9, for similar. 91 grams, 87 mm (205 grams total, 11 cm high including stand) (3 3/8 in. (4 3/8 in.)). Ex private French collection, Paris. Acquired on the French art market in 2013. Private Germany collection. For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions .]