Western Asiatic Luristan Rapier with Ribbed Hilt

£ 1,500.00

A very fine Western Asiatic Luristan rapier cast from bronze featuring a double-edged leaf-shaped blade tapering to a point. A prominent square shaped midrib runs parallel along the centre. The light sword leads to a U-shaped guard enriched with two finals in the shape of zoomorphic beasts. The hilt is decorated with an evenly spaced ribbed pattern and is finished with a domed pommel displaying incised lines.

Date: Circa 1st millennium BC
Provenance: From the Abelita family collection, 1980-2015.
Condition: Fine condition, pommel cap chipped.

SOLD

SKU: LD-294 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 ornaments, vessels and weapons. Most of the Luristan weapons have been recovered in funerary contexts, suggesting that such weapons would have 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 452.7 g
Dimensions L 50.3 x W 3.7 cm
Culture

Metal

Region