Framed Luristan Bronze Arrowhead

£ 85.00

A finely cast Luristan bronze arrowhead featuring a leaf-shaped blade, with a slightly raised midrib which fades into a sharp point. The cutting edges gently slope into a square-section shtem and a long tang for fitting onto the wooden shaft. The arrowhead is fitted in a custom frame.

The arrowhead is roughly 10.1cm length; 2.1cm width.

N.B. The measurements below include frame.

Date: Circa 1800-600 BC
Condition: Very good. Some minor wear to the blade consistent with age. Patination to the surface.

SOLD

SKU: CY-240 Category: Tag:

Luristan bronze comes from the Lorestan Province, renowned in antiquity for its sophisticated metal-working. Weapons, tools, amulets, jewellery and finials comprise the majority of bronze output from the region and most have been recovered in funerary contexts, suggesting they had a ceremonial function. The decorative technique is predominately openwork with Scythian art influences. However, the identity of those who created these fine pieces are still unknown to this day. Animals were often featured as decorations; they ranged from mammals such as ibexes and large bird to zoomorphic creatures including griffins. A prime and popular example is the Master of Animals which usually depicts a man or women holding animals or just the animals themselves facing each other on finials or standards. This imagery can be seen across the Mesopotamian civilisations.

To find out more about metalwork in Luristan please see our relevant blog post: The Luristan Empire: Beauty of Bronze.

Weight 361.2 g
Dimensions L 15.3 x W 3.2 x H 20.4 cm
Culture

Region

Metal

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