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Details

LOT 1652

Luristan Bronze Miniature Dagger

12TH-11TH CENTURY B.C.

9 7/8 in. (294 grams, 25.2 cm).

Short dagger with leaf-shaped blade, with a slightly pronounced midrib, expanded handle terminating in an equine protome.

Provenance

Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Literature

Cf. Muscarella, O.W., Bronze and Iron, ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988, no.389, for the type.

Footnotes

Miniature weapons such as this one apparently functioned as models for actual weapons and may have had a cultic purpose. The hilt of this dagger, if effectively used, should have been flanged for the filling with organic material. Unfortunately, only a few miniature tools and weapons have been found in the archaeological context of the graves, which does not offer clear elements of understanding and comparison.

CONDITION

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AUCTIONS:

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LOT 1652

Luristan Bronze Miniature Dagger

Sold for (Inc. bp): £124

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