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Details
LOT 0242
Luristan Bronze Hilted Dirk
CIRCA 1000 B.C.
18 3/4 in. (363 grams, 47.5 cm).
The blade with a tapering profile, triangular in overall form, with square shoulders, penannular guard with strong midrib, flanged hilt with straight grip, widening slightly into a fan-shaped pommel.
Provenance
Acquired from Alan Cherry, Bournemouth, UK.
Ex Alexander Cotton collection, Hampshire, UK 1980s.
Literature
Cf. similar sword in Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour of Iran, Germany, 2006, cat.12, for similar example in the National Museum of Iran in Tehran.
Footnotes
These types of short sword or dirks were usually cast in one piece, and the penannular rib in relief was cast on at the same time with the handle of the blade. In some cases, however, the penannular rib was later cast on the dagger, possibly to strengthen a weak point at the junction of hilt and blade. The flanged hilt was originally filled with organic material like bone.
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