A LURISTAN BRONZE MASTER-OF-ANIMALS FINIAL
CIRCA EARLY 1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
Janiform, the central tube decorated with three stylised heads and terminating in a human torso, with arms grasping the necks of two flanking cocks circa early 1st Millennium B.C.

The Master of  the 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 and Egypt. The figure is normally male, but not always, the animals may be realistic or fantastical, and the figure may have animal elements such as horns, or an animal upper body. Unless he is shown with specific divine attributes, he is typically described as a hero, although what the motif represented to the cultures which created the works probably varies greatly