Step 7 of 12

Master-of-Animals

Master-of-Animals on beaker, 800-600 BC. Iran, Luristan - The Cleveland Museum of Art - [1963.95](https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1963.95)

Master-of-Animals on beaker, 800-600 BC. Iran, Luristan - The Cleveland Museum of Art - 1963.95

This is a man holding two animals. Once more the details are somewhat puzzling. With his left hand he holds an upright animal. This seems to reference the so-called master-of-animals pose, which symbolizes mastery over chaos. It is more akin to fighting a lion but somewhat out of place in a tribute scene. Normally the individual would be holding another upright standing animal with his right hand to create a symmetrical scene.

The animal on the right is more fitting for a tribute scene, but why is the rest of its body not shown? Its large body—in comparison to the other animals—would be expected to continue behind the individual holding him. Instead, an unrelated animal is shown. This third animal fills up the available space, but in doing so turns away from the scene.