Ancient Near East, Northwestern Iran and Southeastern Turkey, Luristan culture, ca. 750 to 650 BCE. A rare example of a forged-iron sword with a lengthy blade and a pommel adorned with faces. Each side of the discoid pommel bears a Janiform head with 2 faces, and below the handle ringlets is a pair of recumbent lions. The lengthy blade exhibits sharpened edges, a broad and shallow midrib, and a pointed tip which would have made this a formidable weapon. The excellent state of preservation suggests this was a funerary offering rather than a battle-tested armament. Size: 21.5" L x 3.25" W (54.6 cm x 8.3 cm)

Cf. The Detroit Institute of Art, accession number 1986.65

Provenance: private San Diego, California, USA collection; ex-Piscopo Estate, California, USA, acquired before 2000

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#173945

Professional cleaning and polishing in modern times. Pitting, abrasions, and oxidation to iron commensurate with age, with softening to finer details of each face adornment, chipping to blade, handle, and pommel, and light encrustations and earthen deposits. Great patina and relatively smooth surfaces throughout.