Ca. 2000-700 BC.A bronze Master of Animals sceptre comprised of a central openwork design terminating into a head. Flanked by animals on either side, with wide open mouths. 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.Size: L:310mm / W:98mm ; 360gProvenance: From the private collection of an Oxford gentleman; previously in an old British collection, formed in the 1990s on the UK / International art markets.