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Details
LOT 1401
Luristan Sara-Gorz Bronze Macehead
CIRCA 2000-1300 B.C.
8 3/4 in. (456 grams, 22.5 cm).
With long tubular shank and four hefty bulbs surrounding the shaft.
Provenance
Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
Accompanied by an earlier catalogue identification card.
Literature
See Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, item 333, for a similar example in polished heamatite.
Footnotes
This rare and unusual mace finds parallels with similar pieces published by Slotta, Vatandust, and Moorey. The dating varies between 21st and 14th century B.C. Western Iranian maces, especially the Luristan ones, were notable for the variety of different forms. According to Dr D. Nicolle the gorz or mace was primarily used as an armour breaking weapon since ancient times, and was very common on the Iranian plateau.
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RELATED LOTS
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Luristan Sara-Gorz Bronze Macehead
Circa 2000-1300 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
With long tubular shank and four hefty bulbs surrounding the shaft. 456 grams, 22.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. Accompanied by an earlier catalogue identification card.
This rare and unusual mace finds parallels with similar pieces published by Slotta, Vatandust, and Moorey. The dating varies between 21st and 14th century B.C. Western Iranian maces, especially the Luristan ones, were notable for the variety of different forms. According to Dr D. Nicolle the gorz or mace was primarily used as an armour breaking weapon since ancient times, and was very common on the Iranian plateau. -
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). -
North-Western Persian Bronze Sword Blade with Horns
Circa 1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
With curved 'horns' projecting on either side at the top of the waisted grip, blade with flat mid-rib. 325 grams, 51 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The Luristani people produced a quantity of fine metalwork, which according to Dr Khorasani, could be due to a settled period which arose as a result of the defeat of the Elamites by the Babylonians, leaving the Luristani people in relative peace for a period of time after 1200 B.C. According to Khorasani 'A culture of innovation and experimentation flourished, and the repertoire of the Luristan smiths expanded in the period between 1150-1050 B.C.'
