Luristan Bronze Short-Sword with Flanged Hilt

$827.94

A fine Luristan bronze short-sword, featuring a solid-cast guard  and a triangular blade with sharp edges tapering to a point. Down the centre, a slight raise indicates the presence of a midrib, which is now very worn. The weapon displays a narrow, flanged hilt with a crescentic pommel in which an inlay plaque would have originally been placed. A beautiful green patination remains on the surface.

Date: Circa 1800-600 BC
Condition: Very fine condition. Minor chips to the hilt.

SOLD

SKU: MG-60 Category: Tag:

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 290.5 g
Dimensions L 36.1 x W 5.3 cm
Culture

Region

Metal

Reference: For a similar item, please see The Ashmolean Museum, item AN1951.135

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