ticketsMember | Make a donation

Top of standard with male figure and flanking ibexes attacked by dogs

ca. 1500–1100 BCE
Not on view
One of a pair, this cast bronze element was attached to a pole by the curved tang at the bottom. A hollow ring with ropelike ridges and incised rosettes in between is surmounted by a solid-cast striding male figure wearing a knee-length belted garment and boots with upturned toes. A snake supports his front foot. He holds an object, possibly an animal, at his chest while raising the other hand in a gesture of supplication. He has both a mustache and beard, and his hair projects slightly at the front. He is flanked by two solid recumbent horned animals whose haunches are attacked by crouching dogs. The style of the male figure and the snake point to Elam as the place of manufacture. The meaning of such an unusual composition is not known, but similar male figures are found among Elamite votive images.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Top of standard with male figure and flanking ibexes attacked by dogs
  • Period: Middle Elamite
  • Date: ca. 1500–1100 BCE
  • Geography: Southwestern Iran
  • Culture: Elamite
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dimensions: 11 3/4 × 4 1/2 × 1 5/8 in. (29.8 × 11.5 × 4.2 cm)
  • Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1957
  • Object Number: 57.13.1
  • Curatorial Department: Ancient West Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Helmet with divine figures beneath a bird with outstretched wings, Bronze, gold foil over bitumen, Elamite
Helmet with divine figures beneath a bird with outstretched wings
Elamite
ca. 1500–1100 BCE
Enthroned deity, Bronze, gold foil, Canaanite
Enthroned deity
Canaanite
ca. 14th–13th century BCE
Sickle sword, Bronze, Assyrian
Sickle sword
Assyrian
ca. 1307–1275 BCE
Seated goddess with a child, Gold, Hittite
Seated goddess with a child
Hittite
ca. 14th–13th century BCE
Pendants and beads, Gold, Babylonian
Pendants and beads
Babylonian
ca. 18th–17th century BCE

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Top of standard with male figure and flanking ibexes attacked by dogs - Elamite - Middle Elamite - The Metropolitan Museum of Art