A Near Eastern Bronze "Ear" Pommel Sword, Late Bronze Age, ca. 1200-800 BCE
This object qualifies for free USA shipping and a flat rate fee of $60 if shipping internationally.
The late bronze age Luristan culture was renowned for their bronze workmanship and this cast bronze sword is an excellent illustration of their skill. Cast using the lost-wax process, this sword is a rare example of the double ear pommel type found in the great museums of the world.
This well-balanced weapon features a slender square hilt that joins to a pommel that divides at right angles to the blade into two finely decorated semi-circular "ears". The pommel features a semi-circular opening in the center of each ear with a line around it as a margin and ridges along its back. A rectangular guard carefully designed with crescentic horns extends down to firmly grip the upper end of the double-edged blade. The narrow blade has a low rectangular midrib that tapers regularly with an almost straight cutting edge to a point, making it most suitable for thrusting and cutting.
It is the austere perfection of line and proportion that makes this weapon so beautiful and so terrible. Similar examples can be found in all the fine museums of the world, see: Moorey P.R.S. "Catalogue of Ancient Persian Bronzes in the Ashmolean Museum" (1971), pg. 80 fig 63, Mahboubian, H. "Art of Ancient Iran" pg 304 #386(a); (b) and pg 314-315 #397a-I, Moorey PRS "Ancient Persian Bronzes in the Adam Collection" pg 58 #28 and Muscarella "Bronze and Iron, Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art" pgs 282-285 #385-390.
This type of pommel represents the north-western Persian version of weapons evolved from Elamite or Mesopotamian flange-hilted blades. They are found throughout the northern regions of Persia in both bronze and iron, and sometimes with a combination of bronze hilt and iron blade.
Dimensions: Height: 28 1/4 inches (71.8 cm)
Condition: Overall blue-green patina with encrustation areas, intact and in good condition overall. Presented on a museum quality custom mount.
Provenance: Estate of Armenian philanthropist Julian Hovsepian, acquired prior to 1980.
We ship Tuesday to Friday with FedEx and usually same day if your order is received before 2pm. Within the continental USA, packing, shipping and insurance is free. Depending on size and destination, delivery times range from one to five business days.
For overseas shipments we charge a small flat rate which includes packing, preparation of all customs paperwork, insurance and carrier fees in compliance with all USA and International customs requirements. Overseas shipments are sent using either USPS Priority Mail or FedEx but contact us if you have a shipping preference. International customers are responsible for all duties and taxes.
Sands of Time provides a lifetime, unconditional guarantee of authenticity and provenance. Every object you purchase from us is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, stating culture, provenance, and age.
Furthermore, we conduct due diligence to ensure the item, to the best of our knowledge, has not been illegally obtained from an excavation, architectural monument, public institution, or private property. Wherever possible, reference is made to existing collections or publications.Wherever possible, reference is made to existing collections or publications.
Choose options
