Ancient Near East, northwestern Iran, Luristan, ca. 1200 to 800 BCE. A lost wax cast bronze dagger with a narrow, round handle. At either side of the top of the handle are two distinctive ram heads with curled horns. The rams' deep eyes were probably once inlaid with semi-precious stones. The handle flares outward at the guard. The double-edged blade mirrors the handle form, briefly straight-sided before flaring out into an elongated triangular form. The top of the handle has been pierced, possibly to attach a perishable material like leather around it to cushion the grip. Size: 1.25" W x 8.1" H (3.2 cm x 20.6 cm); 8.6" H (21.8 cm) on included custom stand.

In the mountains of western Iran, where Luristan artisans and the nomadic horse lords who commissioned their goods lived, herdsmen kept sheep alongside their wild relatives. These animals inspired the people of Luristan, and the power and virility of the spiral-horned ram became symbolic of power and masculinity.

Provenance: private R.D. collection, Long Beach, California, USA collection, acquired over twenty five years from various major galleries

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#125819

Two areas of corrosion on lower part of handle. Small depression in the middle of the handle. Edges of the blade have tiny losses and there is slight bending to top of handle, with possible area of repair that is almost impossible to see. Pretty blue-green mottled patina overall, with very light encrustation on top of the handle and where the handle meets the blade.