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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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Western Asiatic Black Stone Mould for Female Figure
2000-1700 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Tongue-shaped mould fragment with a recessed female figure on the upper face, accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Upper Portion of Mould in Black Stone, 39 x 29 x 10 mm. This mould served to make metal figurines of a nude female figure. It is preserved from the thighs up, and is in very good state of preservation. The figure is worked in much detail: the hair is carefully arranged on the head, she has large earrings, five strings of beads around the neck; she holds her hands under her breasts, and the pubic hair is carefully marked. The fine quality, detailed work of this piece is most unusual. It dates to c. 1200 - 1700 B.C and comes from Iraq or an adjacent area.' 23.43 grams, 38 mm
UK private collection, acquired 1990-1993. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in 1991. -
Bactrian Bronze Zebu Statuette
2nd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £351
Modelled in the round and hollow to the underside with loop behind the hump. 138 grams, 80 mm
UK collection, 1990s. Acquired on the UK art market, before 2000. Private collection, Mr M.V., a London-based businessman. -
Western Asiatic Chalcedony Gaming Piece
3rd-5th century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £222
Square in plan and plano-convex in section with tessellated triangles on the dome, horizontal grooves at the sides, incuse octofoil to the underside. 39.7 grams, 31 mm
Ex Mayfair, London, UK, collection, 1980s.
