Luristan Bronze Amulet of a Frog

Culture: Iran/Luristan

Period: 8th-7th century B.C.

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: 2.1 cm x 1.2 cm

Price: Sold

Ref: 6510

Provenance: Stephen Joel Albert (1941-1992), acquired in the 1980s and with the inventory number 5752 listed in the collection. Thence in a family estate. With a copy of the inventory list.

Condition: Intact

Description: Exceedingly charming bronze amulet of a frog from the Luristan culture. The animal with oversized limbs, accentuated toes and raised high head with bulging button eyes. The body is decorated with punched circular eyes and is pierced lengthwise on the underside for suspension. Frogs were a symbol for fertility in the Near East, but they were also companions of the deceased on their journey to the other world. See for the type with punched decoration and overlarge limbs the frog amulet in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston with the Accession Number 30.622. For another comparison example see online “Eloge de l’Art par Alain Truong” of 22 April 2010 under the title “A Collector’s Menagerie: Animal Sculpture from the Ancient World”. Mounted. Intact.