Iberian Bronze Bull's Head - Votive Fragment

Ancient Mediterranean, Iberian culture, ca. 3rd to 1st century BCE. A small but powerful Iberian leaded bronze bull's head, its compact form modeled with bold, stylized vigor. The head projects forward with a short, rounded muzzle and sharply pointed horns, the broad forehead tapering to a sturdy neck. Cast in leaded bronze, the piece bears a weathered, earthy patina that accentuates its ancient solidity and tactile weight. The bull held immense symbolic importance throughout the Iberian Peninsula, representing virility, protection, and divine power. In the art of pre-Roman Iberia, such figures often appeared as votive offerings or decorative mounts, embodying both religious and social meaning. The stylized treatment of this example - pared to geometric essentials - reveals a sophisticated abstraction characteristic of Iberian craftsmanship, bridging naturalism and sacred iconography. Size: 1" L x 1.1" W x 0.9" H (2.5 cm x 2.8 cm x 2.3 cm) Item # 193784

Estimate:£93.44

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