Ancient Near East, Luristan, ca. 1000 BCE. This is a large, well-formed cast bronze sword. The sword has a long, triangular blade with a thick, flattened ridge; the handle has a double pommel with an elaborate, circular design, almost no guard, and a narrow handle that would have had a leather wrapping around it. This is particular sword was made from lost wax casting, and this was a cast-on hilt style - the blade was cast first and then the handle was cast onto the blade. The region of Luristan, which encompasses the rugged Zagros Mountain chain of modern day Iran, is famous for its bronze work that was above and beyond the skill level of contemporary groups. The affluent group in Luristan society that patronized the metalworking industry and purchased fine items like this sword were nomadic horsemen. They would travel into towns and purchase swords and other bronze and iron objects from craftsmen there. Although these horsemen were pre-literate, we know from the records of the Elamites and other southern neighbors that these tribesmen functioned as mercenaries in the constant warfare between the Sumerians, Babylonians, Assyrians, and Elamites. When they died, they were buried in rock-covered tombs with their swords. Size: 24.5" L x 3.3" W (62.2 cm x 8.4 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Southern California collection

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#117556

Very minor losses to edge of blade; some scraping to patina.