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LOT 1091
Western Asiatic Bronze Dagger Blade
EARLY 1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
13 in. (61 grams, 33 cm).
With a narrow tapering blade, slightly enlarged in the guard area and narrowing again towards the 'ear' pommel.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
See Christie's, Axel Guttmann collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, Part 2, London, South Kensington, Wednesday 28 April 2004, for a similar dagger (lot 21, p.22).
FootnotesThe techniques used by Luristan craftsmen to create bronze weapons were highly sophisticated. They used a wide variety of surface finishes: repoussé work, chasing and engraving. The fact that the mountains of Luristan were particularly rich in copper and tin, both required for making bronze, was a significant advantage to the metalworking industry. The weapons produced developed into a plethora of different forms in the 2nd millennium B.C. to at least 800 B.C. These objects include axes and adzes, pick axes, daggers and dirks, spears, swords, helmets and shields. Weapons were usually cast, but armour parts were also made by the hammering process.
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Western Asiatic Bronze Dagger Blade
Early 1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
With a narrow tapering blade, slightly enlarged in the guard area and narrowing again towards the 'ear' pommel. 61 grams, 33 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The techniques used by Luristan craftsmen to create bronze weapons were highly sophisticated. They used a wide variety of surface finishes: repoussé work, chasing and engraving. The fact that the mountains of Luristan were particularly rich in copper and tin, both required for making bronze, was a significant advantage to the metalworking industry. The weapons produced developed into a plethora of different forms in the 2nd millennium B.C. to at least 800 B.C. These objects include axes and adzes, pick axes, daggers and dirks, spears, swords, helmets and shields. Weapons were usually cast, but armour parts were also made by the hammering process. -
Luristan Sar-e Tabar Socketted Axehead
2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
With plain cylindrical socket and staff, off-set at the base, of simple undecorated shape with a long lentoid-section D-shaped blade with scooped profile. 465 grams, 18 cm
Earlier 20th century collection. Mayfair, London gallery, UK. Dr D.G. collection, 1990s-2019.
Many examples of bronze axeheads are attributed to the Luristan culture and various shapes have been discussed by different scholars. Moorey (1971, pp.39-41) shows similar axeheads, stating that the texts executed on some specimens have shown them made of arsenical bronze, and attributes them to the late 3rd millennium B.C. or 2nd millennium B.C., period in which this alloy was used abundantly. -
North-Western Persian Type Sword Blade
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
With rounded shoulders and shallow square-sectioned mid-rib running to the blade tip; short tang with fastening hole. 220 grams, 37 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The Luristan people produced fine metalwork, which according to Dr. Khorasani, was made possible by 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 BC.' It became widespread throughout Mesopotamia, the Caucasus and the Near East.
