Ancient Near East cast bronze whetstone finial handle depicting the forequarters of a couchant Ibex with elongated neck and stylized high-arching horns. Original bar shaped whetstone (used for sharpening knives). Sits in a later ebonized wood and metal display stand with old Sotheby's New York sales sticker to underside. 3" H x 7" W x 3/4" D. In stand: 6 3/4" H x 5" W x 1 3/4" D. Northwestern Iran, Luristan, ca. 1000 BCE. Provenance: The Estates of Olen Bryant and late Vanderbilt University art professor Thomas Brumbaugh, Clarksville/Cottontown, Tennessee. CONDITION: Overall excellent condition with possible repair/re-attachment to one horn. Stone with expected smooth edges and abraded sides.