Lethal Luristan Bronze Mace Head
**Originally Listed At $1200**
Ancient Near East, northwestern Iran, Luristan, ca. 1000 to 600 BCE. A wonderful example of a stocky bronze mace head cast via the lost wax (cire perdue) technique. The ovoid mace exhibits a pair of mammiform beater heads adorned with several shallow grooves that radiate from both ends, and recessed strap grooves arch on either side of the wide hafting shaft. Elongated triangular panels on the top and bottom of each half are delicately incised with leafy, chevron-shaped motifs, and the entire weapon is enveloped in gorgeous layers of mottled brown, green, and russet patina. Size: 2.2" L x 1.8" W (5.6 cm x 4.6 cm); 3.4" H (8.6 cm) on included custom stand.
The region of Luristan, which encompasses the rugged Zagros Mountain chain, 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 bronze and iron objects from craftsmen there. They were often buried with these beautiful items, and we know of them from tombs.
Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired in September 2005; ex-Tom Cederlind collection, Portland, Oregon, USA
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
#154157
Condition Report: Minor abrasions to both hemispheres, recessed groove, and hafting shaft, with light encrustations, and softening to some finer incised details, otherwise intact and excellent. Fantastic patina throughout.
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**Originally Listed At $1200**
Ancient Near East, northwestern Iran, Luristan, ca. 1000 to 600 BCE. A wonderful example of a stocky bronze mace head cast via the lost wax (cire perdue) technique. The ovoid mace exhibits a pair of mammiform beater heads adorned with several shallow grooves that radiate from both ends, and recessed strap grooves arch on either side of the wide hafting shaft. Elongated triangular panels on the top and bottom of each half are delicately incised with leafy, chevron-shaped motifs, and the entire weapon is enveloped in gorgeous layers of mottled brown, green, and russet patina. Size: 2.2" L x 1.8" W (5.6 cm x 4.6 cm); 3.4" H (8.6 cm) on included custom stand.
The region of Luristan, which encompasses the rugged Zagros Mountain chain, 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 bronze and iron objects from craftsmen there. They were often buried with these beautiful items, and we know of them from tombs.
Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired in September 2005; ex-Tom Cederlind collection, Portland, Oregon, USA
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
#154157
Condition Report: Minor abrasions to both hemispheres, recessed groove, and hafting shaft, with light encrustations, and softening to some finer incised details, otherwise intact and excellent. Fantastic patina throughout.
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