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LOT 1060
Luristan Horse Harness Cheekpiece
11TH-8TH CENTURY B.C.
5 1/4 in. (130 grams, 13.5 cm wide).
A bronze cheek-piece element in the form of a righthand side bar, surmounted by two loops for additional straps, ending in a lion's head at the front, the other extremity bending outwards and ending with a conical tip, remains of the iron bar visible on the sides; once belonging to an articulate bit.
ProvenanceAcquired mid 1980s to early 1990s.
Private family collection formed in London, UK.
Cf. Musee' Cernuschi, Bronzes de Luristan, enigmes de l'Iran Ancien, IIIe-Ier millenaire av. J.C., Paris, 2008, p.107, no.62, for similar types.
FootnotesThe association of Psalia in the shape of a bar and with an articulated bit is documented in Assyria, in Media and in central Iran starting from the 10th century B.C., but the zoomorphic elements of this specimen suggest that it was produced in Luristan. The use of articulated bits, which moved inside the horse's mouth, exerting a minimal pressure on the reins, allowed for better control of the mount.
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LOT 1060
Luristan Horse Harness Cheekpiece
Estimate £400 - 600€460 - 700 (for guidance only)$540 - 810 (for guidance only)
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Luristan Socketted Axehead
13th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £89
A small, heavy socketted bronze axehead with convex cutting edge. 243 grams, 86 mm
Fine condition.
English collection formed in the 1990s. UK art market. Property of an Essex gentleman.
Unadorned weapons, especially axes, adzes and picks, were made by Luristan craftsmen using simple clay or stone bivalve moulds, into which was inserted a core to form the socket for the shaft. Typically, the metallic composition consisted of a combination of arsenical bronze and copper, together with a small percentage of lead. -
Western Asiatic Dagger with Integral Hilt
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
A cast dagger with leaf-shaped blade, round-section grip with wide flat tang and lobe pommel. 740 grams, 40 cm
Fine condition.
Abelita family collection, 1980-2015. -
Luristan Sword with Decorated Hilt
10th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,300
A bronze short sword or dirk with tapering blade and square shoulders, flanged hilt with crenellated grip, widening slightly to a fan-shaped pommel, strong midrib and penannular guard. 464 grams, 44 cm
Ex S. Motamed collection. with Bellman's Auctions, 20th-26th June 2015, lot 2482. Property of a London gentleman.
According to Khorasani and Moorey, this type of dirk probably originated from the north and appeared in Western Iran towards the end of the Late Bronze Age, remaining in use alongside with the early examples of iron dirks. Medveskaya stated that usually this type of daggers and dirks were cast in one piece, meaning the penannular grip was cast on later to the dagger or dirk.
