6th-5th century BC. A sheet-gold figure of a bull with the legs folded beneath the body; the head is that of a human male with detailed beard and conical cap or headdress; the underside includes a portion of silver sheet and a ferrous fragment. 12.94 grams, 41mm (1 1/2"). Property of a London businessman; formerly in a private Japanese collection; accompanied by a copy of a seven page examination report number 84/2014 by Dr. habil. Mikhail Treister dated 26 October 2014, and an expertise from Striptwist Ltd, a London-based company run by historical precious metal specialist Dr Jack Ogden, reference number 160610; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10348-168729. Dr Ogden notes that the 'mode of manufacture is consistent with manufacture in the Early Bronze Age, a date perhaps also suggested by the lack of wings, but the iron component would be more expected in the Early Iron Age. ... It is perhaps not impossible that the gold human-headed bull, decorating a silver vessel or other object, was made in the early Bronze Age then lost or buried. Then ... it was rediscovered in a damaged state, repaired ... and mounted on an iron component...' Very fine condition; with ancient repair.