Luristan, modern-day Iran, ca. 1000 to 600 BCE. This is a pair of large, heavy, lost-wax cast bronze axe heads. One has a simple design with a slightly trapezoidal blade and a round socket at a ninety degree angle; the second has a serious of bulbous decorations as its butt and a more flared blade. 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 this one. Comes with brand new custom stand! Size of largest: 4.5" W x 5" H (11.4 cm x 12.7 cm)

Provenance: Ex - J. Hovsepian collection acquired before 1985

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.

#116267

Both have patina, but their shape is very clear.