Luristan Bronze Sword Blade

£ 750.00

A fine Luristan bronze sword blade featuring a short tang pierced for attachment to a hilt. The bifacial blade displays a long ovate shape with a wide, prominent central midrib. Two deep fullers run parallel along the centre from the sharp point to midway. The raised, wider section of the sword is framed by two additional fullers, which fade into the rounded base. A beautiful blue and green patination remains on the surface.

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

SOLD

SKU: MG-57 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 working, 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 400 g
Dimensions L 48.4 x W 5.2 cm
Culture

Region

Metal

Reference: For a similar item, please see The British Museum, item 1936,0613.192