7th century BC. A broad, hammered terminal fragment from a medium-size military belt, the register decorated in chased low-relief with actual and mythical animals including griffins and ibexes running right, alternating with cross motifs inside a foliage pattern; holes for attachment to a leather lining along the edges, the right panel embossed with decorative ovules framing a geometric-style tree; fastening ring to one edge. Cf. ?????, ?.?., ?????????? VI-V ??. ?? ?. ?. ? ????? ????????? ??, 1965; Born, H., Seidl, U., Schutzwaffen aus Assyrien und Urartu, Sammlung Axel Guttmann IV, Mainz, 1995; Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003.347 grams total, 21cm including stand (8 1/4"). From a private collection formed in the Netherlands; previously in a European collection formed prior to 1980. This magnificent belt would have been made for a warrior or a nobleman, used for holding a dagger, knife or grindstone. Decorated with abstract geometry, it served as an emblem of rank, power and worldly stature. The ends of the belt were provided with one or two ring holes for fastening around the waist. [No Reserve]