Description:

Ancient Near East, modern day northwestern Iran, Luristan, ca. 1000 to 600 BCE. A cast bronze bell with an openwork form suspended on a modern cord as a wearable pendant. This type of bell is known as a "double-conoid cage bell" and similar types were excavated from Marlik, a major archaeological site associated with Luristan - a mound that contained fifty-three tombs. We do not know why they were placed inside the tombs - perhaps they were played during funeral ceremonies, or their silence from lack of use symbolized the silence of death. In life, these could have been attached to horse trappings, as the Luristan people were nomadic horsemen that ornamented their animals in bronze attachments and fittings. Size of bell: 3" L x 1" W (7.6 cm x 2.5 cm); cord: 21" L (53.3 cm)

Provenance: ex-estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA acquired before 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#158486

  • Condition: Wearable as a pendant. Missing clapper. Stable fissures in areas, as well as some light abrasions. Otherwise, excellent with rich patina.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

November 17, 2022 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000