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LOT 0214
Monumental Luristan Bronze Armband Pair with Dragon Heads
LATE 1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
5 1/8 in. (1.19 kg total, 13-13.1 cm).
A matching pair of penannular armbands, each with a round-section body and dragon-head terminals, one terminal on each band separately made; the dragons with ring-and-dot eyes and linear decoration, slit mouths and flaring nostrils. [2]
ProvenanceEx London, UK gallery, 1971-early 2000s.
Private collection, London.
Bronze armbands of this scale and quality are characteristic of Luristan, an important centre of metal production in western Iran during the early 1st millennium B.C. The region is renowned for its distinctive cast bronzes, including weapons, horse trappings, and items of personal adornment, often decorated with powerful animal imagery. The dragon, with its elongated body and open jaws, was a common motif in Luristan art, symbolising strength, protection, and the supernatural. Armbands with dragon-head terminals likely carried an apotropaic function, serving both as impressive ornaments and as protective charms for the wearer. Monumental examples such as this pair are rare survivals, attesting to the high status of their original owner and the extraordinary skill of Luristan bronze workers.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0214
Monumental Luristan Bronze Armband Pair with Dragon Heads
Sold for (Inc. bp): £845
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Third Dynasty of Ur Brown Stone Cylinder Seal with Worship Scene
Circa 2060-2000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
Showing two goddesses and a worshipper; accompanied by a museum quality impression and a copy of an old scholarly note by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder seal of brown stone, 26 x 13 mm. Seated goddess to right, raising a hand, before her a minor goddess introducing a worshipper, both raising a hand. Crescent in sky. Third Dynasty of Ur, c. 2060-2000 B.C. Good engraving, very good condition.' 7.6 grams, 25 mm
From the private collection of a North American lady, formed 1970s-early 1990s, with collection reference no.192. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, handwritten and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert and an old photograph. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Amulet of a Deer's Head
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £180 - 240 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £90
Modelled in the round with large alert ears, deeply incised facial detailing. 6.16 grams, 21 mm
Ex Dr. Leo Mildenberg, Zurich, 1990s. Acquired by Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, from the above in 1999. -
Akkadian Grey Stone Cylinder Seal
2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
With combat scene of a standing figure grappling with two rearing ibexes each looking backwards towards a rearing horse; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 17.2 grams, 30 mm
From an important London collection, 1980s-2000s.
