Lot 64A
Ancient Near East, northwestern Iran, Luristan culture, ca. 1200 to 800 BCE. A pair of cast bronze and gilt-bronze shield boss decorations which would have originally been mounted on the center of the combat side of a leather covered shield. The openwork type is "snowflake" shaped while the other is gilt and resembles more of a "sunburst" shape - both possibly sustaining damage from combat! The gilt boss has two rivets where it would have been attached through leather, one rivet showing salvaged sheet bronze from another piece. Each of these shield bosses would have been owned by soldiers of very high status and noble class since these objects would have been extremely expensive to purchase and use as embellishments in ancient times. Their appearance on the shields of an ancient soldier, would have been a visual object of rank and status. Both display spectacular preservation with heavy patina and mineral encrustations. Size: 5.5" Diameter (14 cm)
The region of Luristan, which encompasses the rugged Zagros Mountain chain, is famous for its bronze work that was above and beyond the skill level of contemporary groups. The affluent group in Luristan society that patronized the metalworking industry and purchased fine items like this shield boss were nomadic horsemen. They would travel into towns and from there purchase swords, shields, daggers, and other bronze and iron objects from craftsmen. Although these horsemen were pre-literate, we know from the records of the Elamites and other southern neighbors that these tribesmen functioned as mercenaries in the constant warfare between the Sumerians, Babylonians, Assyrians, and Elamites. When they died, they were buried in rock-covered tombs with their instruments of battle like this example.
Provenance: ex-private New York, USA collection, formed in the 1960s
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#175615
- Condition: Losses and bending to peripheries as shown, otherwise no restoration or repairs. Nice patina throughout.
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