Description:

Ancient Near East, northwestern Iran, Luristan, ca. 1000 to 600 BCE. An attractive sword that is cast from copper in two pieces via the lost wax (cire perdue) technique. The double-edged blade has an elongated profile with a central midrib that courses down to the pointed tip, and the shoulder and tang are covered by the lunate hand guard. Lining the handle are ovoid bosses with central protrusions embellished in layers of brass, and remains of brass are visible around the openwork, wheel-and-spoke pommel. Fine weaponry like this example was incredibly expensive to produce in the ancient Near East, so this sword perhaps belonged to - and was buried with - an individual of high wealth and status. Size: 17.25" L x 2.625" W (43.8 cm x 6.7 cm)

Provenance: private California, USA collection, by descent, moved from Germany in 1997, originally collected in the 1970s in Hamburg, Germany

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#155951

  • Condition: Pommel possibly reattached, with resurfacing and earthen material along break lines. Small area of loss to blade edge just past hand guard. Abrasions and encrustations to pommel and handle, with encrustations atop brass on handle, and stabilization and resurfacing to a few hairline fissures on blade. Nice earthen deposits and great patina throughout.

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December 3, 2020 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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