Large Luristan Bronze Flanged Sword

$877.76

An extremely fine Luristan cast bronze dagger, comprising a triangular-shaped, double-edged blade with raised mid-rib and a flanged, hollowed hilt. In flanged hilt swords and daggers, such as this fine example, the hilt and blade have been cast together in a single piece, with raised flanges to the hilt’s edges, hollowed to hold wood or bone inlay. This would have prevented the sword from tearing itself apart when used. 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. The entire sword is covered in a beautiful olive green and dark brown patination.

Date: Circa 1800-600 BC
Condition: Very fine, some green patination remains on the surface.

SOLD

SKU: CS-77 Category: Tag:

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 400 g
Dimensions L 43.4 cm
Culture

Metal

Region

Reference: For a similar item, The British Museum, item 136084.

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