ÉTENDARD Eastern Europe, Transcaucasian region, middle of the 2nd millennium B.C. Bronze H. 41 cm Provenance Former German collection, acquired in the early 1980s European private collection The base in the form of an openwork rattle is surmounted by a stag with branched horns. With its snout extended, it sticks out its tongue. Under its neck, a suspension ring holding a second miniature rattle. Beautifully preserved. This standard was probably used as a chariot decoration. Later examples have been found in Armenia, attached to the chariot where the chariot pole meets the yoke. For further discussion of this standard, see Bunker, Chatwin and Farkas, "Animal Style" Art from East to West, New York, 1970, p. 55. A Transcaucasian bronze rattle standard with stag. The base in the shape of an openwork rattle is surmounted by a stag with branched horns. With his muzzle stretched out, he sticks out his tongue. Under its neck, a suspension ring retaining a second miniature rattle. Beautiful conservation. This standard probably served as a chariot decoration, a later version of similar Bronze Age standards found in Armenia. There they have been found fastened to the chariot at the point where the chariot pole meets the yoke. For further discussion of this standard see Bunker, Chatwin, and Farkas, "Animal Style" Art from East to West, New York, 1970, p. 55. Ca. mid 2nd millennium B.C