ANCIENT BRONZE SWORD WITH HANDLE

C. 2000-700 BC, Luristan Culture. This beautiful cast bronze sword has a tapering, bevelled blade and a recessed integral handle that would have been inset with stone, bone or ivory inlay. Bronze weaponry production flourished from the 2nd millennium BC to about 700BC when it was gradually replaced by iron. Swords, spears and arrows were exchanged via trade and war and are discovered in both civic and ritual context. A sword such as this one would have been an important symbol of rank, and power beyond the means of most common Luristan soldiers. Superb condition Size: L:435mm; 260g. Provenance: Property of an established London gallery; acquired from a private estate collection formed in the 1980s.