Luristan Spearhead with Incised Decoration

$284.34

A finely cast Luristan bronze socketed spearhead featuring a leaf-shaped double-edged blade with a raised midrib. The socketed long tubular shaft allowed the blade to connect to a hilt, and is enriched  by three bands of finely incised chevron pattern decoration to the neck. The entire blade is covered in a beautiful patination, in different hues of green. Blades of this type are more commonly found in the territories of ancient Western Persia (modern Iran) and were used from the late Bronze Age onwards.

Date: Circa 1800-600 BC
Provenance: Ex Abelita family collection, 1970s-2000s.
Condition: Fine condition, minor edge of shaft missing. Beautiful green patination across the surface and some earthly encrustation.

SOLD

SKU: GL-49 Category: Tags: , ,

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 of 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 117 g
Dimensions L 25 cm
Culture

Metal

Region

Reference: For a similar item please see The British Museum, item 134343

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