Luristan Bronze Spike-Butted Axe Head

$1,401.13

An exceptional Luristan bronze axe head featuring a cylindrical shaft-hole with four conically tipped butt-spikes. Axe heads of this type were one of the hallmarks of Luristan’s bronze production during Iron Age I. The ribs of the upper and lower prongs extend to the shaft, forming a collar with two ridges to its ends while the middle two ribs curve up towards the blade. The reinforce upper edge extends downwards at a slight angle from the top of the shaft-hole whilst, the lower edge springs from the shaft-hole in a sweeping downward curve. A beautiful green patination remains on the surface.

Date: Circa 1800-600 BC
Condition: Very fine condition.

SOLD

SKU: MG-61 Category: Tags: ,

Throughout the Ancient World, from Greece to Persia, battles raged. The skilled Ancient Persian craftsmen, particularly in the Luristan area, developed great skill in bronze metalwork, producing some of the finest weaponry then available. Luristan bronze comes from the province of Lorestan, a region situated in the area of modern South-Western Iran. In ancient times a number of nomadic populations, such as the Medes, the Kassites and eventually the Persians, settled in the area. Due to the nomadic nature of the tribes, none of the Luristan bronzes were of great size, since it was required for them to be light and portable. Their artwork mainly comprises ornaments, vessels and weapons. Most of Luristan weapons have been recovered in funerary contexts, suggesting that such weapons would have been used not only in everyday life but also with ceremonial purposes.

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

Weight 416.7 g
Dimensions L 24 x W 7.9 cm
Culture

Region

Metal

Reference: For a similar item, please see The British Museum, item 1973,1220.17

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