From the ancient near east, Luristan, ca. 1000 to 650 BCE. This is a flanged cast bronze dagger that at one time would have had a handle made of wood, stone, or bone. The crescent shape of the guard is particularly fine on this example; note how thin the space around it is and how finely carved the handle would have needed to be to fit! Luristan, in modern-day northwestern Iran, was in a relatively crowded area in the Bronze Age, near the competing interests of the Babylonians and the Elamites. The mountain tribesmen of Luristan served as mercenaries for both of these powers and many of them were buried alongside daggers like these. Size: 13.5" L x 1.5" W (34.3 cm x 3.8 cm)

Provenance: Ex - Julian Hovsepain estate collection acquired prior to 1990.

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#116248

Very small portion of the tip has broken off;