Priceless Past ancient bronze pottery figures

Bronze Short Sword from Northwestern Iran 1200-900 BC

Bronze Short Sword from Northwestern Iran 1200-900 BC


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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Ancient World: Near Eastern: Pre AD 1000: Item # 799552
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This is an ancient bronze short sword from Northwestern Iran. It has a choice, predominantly blue patina mottled with green and red. The lower half of the hilt is basically ovoid in hape with a lappet-flanged area on both broad surfaces. Flanged areas often held inlays of wood or bone but a lappet flange of this type was probably a decoration in and of itself. The upper half of the hilt is also ovoid but with the broad surfaces oriented perpendicular to the lower half. This piece has a bifurcated pommel with symmetrical ear shapes. There is also a raised, round protrusion on each ear of the pommel near the hilt that resembles a rivet. The blade surfaces are gently convex. The metal is solid and stable. There are no signs of repairs or excessive damage. In fact, this piece is in remarkable condition considering its age. The blade edges are smooth and have only minor nicks. A specimen nearly identical to this one may be found in “Bronze and Iron Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum” by Oscar White Muscarella published by the Metropolitan Museum Of Art, 1988, page 285 figure 388. A nearly identical specimen can also be found in “Arms and Armor from Iran” by Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani: Legat-Verlag Publisher, page 50 figure 1b. Khorasani’s example is from the National Museum of Iran, catalog number 986. It describes the weapon as being of cast bronze with a cast-on hilt, which is likely the same technique used to make this short sword. The dagger is most likely from the Luristan culture and probably dates to between 1200 BC and 900 BC. Total length is 38 cm and total weight is 442 grams.