Caption

Protoma bull head relief mask, A bull's head in the form of a relief mask made using the repoussé technique. Individual parts of the head are distinguished by different goldsmithing techniques: the central part with the nostrils features granulation and filigree, while the cheeks and top of the head feature filigree only. The eyes, nostrils, and muzzle are repoussé and bordered with filigree. The small ears and horns are plastically modeled horns soldered on. The reverse is closed with an undecorated gold sheet with an irregular hole in two-thirds of its height, from removal of an element used to fasten the protoma. ca. 1450–ca. 1100 BC; Middle Elamite period, alternate dating proposed to the Achaemenid period, 600–539 BC; other scholarship argues for the second half of the 2nd millennium BC. Origin: Elam/Iran. Material/technique: goldsmithing, repoussé, granulation, filigree. Dimensions: height 9.5 cm; width 7.8 cm; depth 2.5 cm; weight 48 g., A gold-colored decorative mask in the shape of an animal head with a textured, pebbled surface and a smooth, shiny finish on raised features, showing a pair of curved horns wrapped in fine wire extending upward, two ear-like projections on the sides, prominent almond-shaped eye areas with raised rims, a broad snout with nostril shapes near the lower edge, and a neutral gray background.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A04_286

License type

Rights managed

Available size

83.2Mb (3.6Mb) / 16.3in x 19.8in / 4897 x 5936 (300dpi)

Keywords

Protoma bull head relief mask bull's head form using repoussé technique Individual parts distinguished different goldsmithing techniques central part nostrils features granulation filigree cheeks top head feature filigree eyes muzzle repoussé bordered small ears horns plastically modeled soldered on reverse closed undecorated gold sheet irregular hole two-thirds height removal element fasten protoma ca 1450–ca 1100 Bc Middle Elamite period alternate dating proposed Achaemenid period 600–539 Bc scholarship argues second half 2nd millennium BC Origin Elam Iran Material technique Dimensions 9.5 cm width 7.8 cm depth 2.5 cm weight 48 g gold-colored decorative mask shape animal head textured pebbled surface smooth shiny finish raised features showing pair curved wrapped fine wire extending upward two ear- projections sides prominent almond-shaped eye areas raised rims broad snout nostril shapes near lower edge neutral gray background.