Luristan Bronze Sword Blade

Luristan Bronze Sword Blade

Late 2nd-early 1st millennium B.C. A substantial leaf-shaped blade with raised midrib extending to a short tang, ribbed fullers with curved ends extending to the shoulders. See Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, s. cat 31, for type, complete with hilt; Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 2, London, 2004, item 36, p.33. 883 grams total including stand, sword: 44 cm (17 3/8 in.).

From London Mayfair gallery, 1990s.

Luristan was hardly an ethnic or political entity, but the people of Luri had relations through warfare and trade with Sumerians, Lullubi, Assyrians, Babylonians and Elamites in a large time period, spanning from the 3rd to the 2nd millennium B.C. The ruling elites of warrior horsemen were buried in the graves with their weapons and horses which are the main sources of the Luristan bronze weapons.