Luristan Bronze Axe Head

£ 600.00

A Luristan cast bronze axe head featuring a paddle-shape blade with a long, narrow neck. The flat, hemispherical blade tapers into a fan shaped socketed element. The socket features a slightly uneven rim and a central knob. The axe displays a lovely dark patination with two incised lines decorating either side of the blade on both the front and back. The axe head sits on a sturdy metal stand, which can be detached for display preferences.

Measurements excluding stand: H 22.5cm x W 8.5cm, 300.8g.

Date: Circa 1800-600 BC
Condition: Very fine. Minor wear such as scratches and chipping mainly around the socket and end of the blade. Cracks to one side of the socket.

In stock

SKU: IP-43 Category: Tag:

Luristan craftsmen developed great skill in bronze working, producing some of the finest tools and weaponry then available. These include a great number of ornaments, tools, weapons, horse-fittings, as well as a smaller number of vessels. Craftsmen used very advanced techniques to produce these fine weapons which were mainly cast by using three major methods, open moulds, close moulds and lost wax castings. Many weapons were finished with a socket hole, much like this fine example, which would have been the most secure way of fixing the item to a wooden shaft. Weapons have been uncovered in recorded excavations, and have generally come from burials. The ethnicity of the people who created these items remain unclear, though they may well have been related to the modern Lur people (who have given their name to the area).

To discover more about the Luristan Empire, please visit our relevant blog post: The Luristan Empire: Beauty of Bronze.

Weight 450.7 g
Dimensions W 20 x H 26.5 cm
Culture

Region

Metal

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