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LOT 0297
Luristan Bronze Sword
14TH-10TH CENTURY B.C.
22 in. (684 grams, 56 cm).
Of type II with crescentic pommel, the grip with V-shaped collar and penannular guard, blade with a broad, raised midrib.
ProvenanceEx Abelita family collection, 1988.
LiteratureSee Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran - The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, pp.398ff, nos.39, 41-43, for the types of pommels; for the penannular guard and blade see Godard, A., Les Bronzes du Luristan, Paris, 1931, pl.VII, no.15.
FootnotesThe crescentic pommel and the penannular guard were probably cast in a one piece-mould. These kinds of pommels are typical of the iron swords of type 2 from Luristan. A certain number of Luristan daggers and swords have bronze or iron blades with cast-on bronze hilts. The typology of winged pommel bronze grip is visible on examples in the British Museum and the National Museum of Iran.
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AUCTIONS:
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Luristan Bronze Dirk
13th-12th century B.C. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £169
Or a dagger with raised flanges to the grip, possibly to accept organic inserts fastened with three nails still in situ (?); later added cuneiform-like inscription and Babylonian Tiamat lion engraved to the blade below the grip on one face. 284 grams, 40.5 cm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
The dirk belongs to Type IIIa bronze dirks of the Medveskaya classification. It was cast in one piece (hilt and blade). -
Medieval Iron Prick Spur
Circa 12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
With abruptly curved arms ending in two loops, the prick with biconvex bulb. 73 grams, 13 cm
Ex B Posey collection, 1990s. Ex Den of Antiquity, Cambridgeshire, UK. Accompanied by a dealer's catalogue information card. -
Large North-West Persian Bronze Sword Blade
11th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £211
With prominently curved guard extending out from the ricasso partly framing the hilt, thick midrib extending slightly above the ricasso. 460 grams, 52 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The hilt of such swords was made separately and unfortunately is nearly always missing from the archaeological records. Similar daggers have been recorded from the South Caspian area from Tomadjan and Ghalekuti. Their chronology ranges from late 2nd millennium B.C. to 7th century B.C.
