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LOT 1161
Luristan Bronze Short Sword
CIRCA 1000 B.C.
17 3/8 in. (383 grams, 44 cm long).
The blade with a tapering profile, triangular in overall form, with square shoulders, penannular guard with strong midrib, flanged hilt with crenellated grip, widening slightly into a fan-shaped pommel; tip repaired.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
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.
FootnotesThese 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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LOT 1161
Luristan Bronze Short Sword
Estimate £400 - 600€460 - 700 (for guidance only)$540 - 810 (for guidance only)
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Medieval Iron Hand and Half Sword with Polyhedral Pommel
Late 14th-early 15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,860
Of Oakeshott's Type XVIIIa or b, cross style 11, pommel style I1; strongly tapering pointed blade with straight edges and evident battle nicks; straight cross guard, long grip and an octagonal pommel. 1.26 kg, 1 m
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
This magnificent example was well-suited to a cut-and-thrust style of fighting, a logical development of the Oakeshott XVI typology. This is mainly visible in the specimens of typology XVIIIb, typical of English effigies and brasses between 1370-1425. Because the previous types of swords were practically useless against the fully armoured man-at-arms, Western European warfare needed a sword capable of piercing the weak points of the enemy's protective equipment, leading to the development of types XV, XVI and XVII, and eventually of type XVIII. The subtypes XVIIIa and b had a longer blade, and type XVIIIb was a very long-gripped bastard sword. This word (often referred to as ‘hand-and-a-half sword’) was applied through the late Middle Ages to the long-gripped weapons. Marc de Vulson, writing on the occasion of a duel fought in 1549 before Henry II of France, stated 'Deux epées bâtardes, pouvant servir à une main ou à deux' (two bastard swords able to serve with one hand or with two). -
Amlash Tanged Spearhead
12th century B.C.Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £83
Composed of a tapering leaf-shaped blade with raised midrib, splayed neck and tapering tang. 637 grams, 49 cm
Acquired on the London art market, prior to 1980s. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
The weapon belongs to the type 1 of the Khorasani spearhead classification, mainly from Marlik or Amlash areas. Similar pieces have been dated by Stutzinger to 1200-1100 B.C. -
Luristan Short Sword Blade
Early 1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Triangular with thick rectangular-section midrib, rounded shoulders, narrow tip, short tang with hole for fixing pin for the organic grip; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 285 grams total, 32 cm wide including stand
Acquired 1980s-1990s. From the H.N. collection, Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, UK.
This tanged bronze blade from Luristan belongs to a category of Luristan swords still in use in the Achaemenid Period, as proved by a blade with a perished handle (probably bone or wood) of the same type, in the National Museum of Iran (2694/15633). Examples without inscriptions like our model have been classified by Grotkamp-Schepers in the Solingen Museum as pieces from Luristan.
