Originally listed at $300

Ancient Near East, northwestern Iran and northeastern Turkey, Luristan, ca. 1000 to 600 BCE. A remarkable pair of cloak pins, 1 of leaded bronze and the other of copper alloy, both presenting lengthy forms with broad heads and slender, tapering bodies with incised decoration. The larger of the 2 is formed from leaded bronze and displays a hemispherical pinhead, as well as 3 sets of 4 to 5 horizontal striations. Alternatively, the petite, copper alloy pin gently narrows just before its conical head and exhibits a body adorned with 5 rows of vertical lines, each separated by 3 horizontal bands. These lovely pins are accompanied by label reading, "Azerbaijan - IRAN / Fund [sic]: Ardebil 37 14," likely referring to their place of discovery. Size (of largest): 0.9" Diameter x 6.7" H (2.3 cm x 17 cm); 7.2" H (18.3 cm) on included custom stand.

Ancient Luristan was a series of parallel fertile valleys in northwestern Iran in the Zagros Mountains. The level of artistry displayed in their bronze work is much finer and more ornate than any of their contemporaries. This is all the more remarkable considering that there is a lack of native copper ores in that region, so Luristan must have been part of a wide trading network - and indeed, we know that they had contacts with the Kingdom of Elam, Mesopotamia, and Anatolia. There must have been a particularly inspired artistic tradition within Luristan itself to produce functional but beautiful items like these.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#139694

Loss to points of both. Expected surface wear with abrasions commensurate with age and use. Otherwise, both are excellent with nice patina. Accompanied by label reading, "Azerbaijan - IRAN / Fund [sic]: Ardebil 37 14."