Ancient Bronze Sword Northern Iran
Priceless Past
View Seller Profile
96 Craig Street, Suite 112-331
Ellijay, Georgia, 30540 USA
Guest Book
View Seller Profile
96 Craig Street, Suite 112-331
Ellijay, Georgia, 30540 USA
Guest Book
$695
This week I will be posting several similar swords from three different private collections. All of these swords are similar in that they were purchased as 'Luristan" bronze age swords, named after the site in Northern Iran where the first items attributed to this culture were unearthed. However, what these swords have in common is something largely ignored in the antiquities collecting world. That is that they all have blades that pre-date their hilts by hundreds and maybe a thousand years or more. The blade on this piece is very likely from the Luristan culture prior to 1200 BCE. The hilt however, while likely from the same region likely dates to 900 BCE or later. Most of the swords from this region that have elaborate hilts, such as the ones I will be posting, were crafted in the iron age and as such were equipped with iron blades. Since iron is much less stable than copper alloys, those blades often rust away leaving only the grips or hilts. While intrinsically valuable in their own right, the hilts typically bring more money on the open market when there is a blade attached. As a result, we find many pieces, particularly sold through certain dealers in the UK, that have iron age hilts attached to bronze age blades. This is such a sword. While the pieces of it are all crafted in antiquity and individually have artistic and intrinsic value, they do not belong together. The blade has some Greek characteristics and the pommel is not a usual type. We are offering this 'pastiche' of authentic but mismatched pieces at a much lower price. If you think you may have been duped into buying one of these put-together swords, feel free to contact me for some simple ways to test your piece. I have already been instrumental in several collectors receiving refunds. While I understand that any dealer may miss one or two of these pieces and sell them unknowingly, once notified of the issue a reputable dealer would check his inventory and no longer deceive his/her clients. This piece is almost 59 cm in size. PLease contact me if you have any questions or need additional photos.
This week I will be posting several similar swords from three different private collections. All of these swords are similar in that they were purchased as 'Luristan" bronze age swords, named after the site in Northern Iran where the first items attributed to this culture were unearthed. However, what these swords have in common is something largely ignored in the antiquities collecting world. That is that they all have blades that pre-date their hilts by hundreds and maybe a thousand years or more. The blade on this piece is very likely from the Luristan culture prior to 1200 BCE. The hilt however, while likely from the same region likely dates to 900 BCE or later. Most of the swords from this region that have elaborate hilts, such as the ones I will be posting, were crafted in the iron age and as such were equipped with iron blades. Since iron is much less stable than copper alloys, those blades often rust away leaving only the grips or hilts. While intrinsically valuable in their own right, the hilts typically bring more money on the open market when there is a blade attached. As a result, we find many pieces, particularly sold through certain dealers in the UK, that have iron age hilts attached to bronze age blades. This is such a sword. While the pieces of it are all crafted in antiquity and individually have artistic and intrinsic value, they do not belong together. The blade has some Greek characteristics and the pommel is not a usual type. We are offering this 'pastiche' of authentic but mismatched pieces at a much lower price. If you think you may have been duped into buying one of these put-together swords, feel free to contact me for some simple ways to test your piece. I have already been instrumental in several collectors receiving refunds. While I understand that any dealer may miss one or two of these pieces and sell them unknowingly, once notified of the issue a reputable dealer would check his inventory and no longer deceive his/her clients. This piece is almost 59 cm in size. PLease contact me if you have any questions or need additional photos.