Luristan Bronze Socketed Spearhead

£ 425.00

A fine Luristan cast bronze spearhead featuring a small, ovate blade with a raised mid-rib. The blade, being shorter than the socket used to fit it onto the wooden shaft, makes this a ‘light spearhead’. The cylindrical socket becomes wider towards the bottom and is decorated with four parallel rings. The top ring has not been welded to the spearhead and is slightly loose. The seam where the sheet of bronze was folded is visible down the length of the socket. Near the base of the spearhead two rivet holes are visible. Below the blade is a decorative band of engraved vertical herringbone lines.

 

Date: Circa 1800-600 BC
Provenance: Ex. collection of a London gentleman, 1990s.
Condition: Fine condition. The spearhead is intact and covered with an attractive patination. One of the rings is slightly loose and there are two perforations made in antiquity. The edges of the blade are slightly chipped. The spearhead is fitted onto a custom-made stand.

In stock

SKU: SK-168 Category:

Luristan bronze comes from the province of Lorestan, a region situated in the south-western area of the Zagros Mountains. The region developed sophisticated and prolific metal-working technology from the 3rd millennium BC, with manufacture not suffering decline until the 7th century BC. Over this extensive period, metalworkers were essential for supplying and arming both local wealthy patrons and the warring factions . Their artwork mainly comprises of ornaments, vessels and weapons.

Spears played a very important role in the military history of the region. Spear bearers had a long reach on the battlefield, and spears could be used effectively in the war. The spear was also a generally useful and ubiquitous weapon, relatively easy and cheap to manufacture (in comparison to swords).

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

Weight 155.3 g
Dimensions W 7.5 x H 25.1 cm
Culture

Metal

Region

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