Near East, northwestern Iran, Luristan, ca. 1000 BCE. An incredibly rare ceremonial weapon, a bronze mace head with a long, thin iron handle ending in a loop for attachment to a belt. The mace head is rounded, with a long shaft and a lip where it meets the iron handle; the body of the mace head is studded with spiky projections around its mid-section. A variety of similar mace heads are known from Teppe Hasanlu, a famous archaeological site near the border of Iran and Azerbaijan; however, we do not know of another example found with an iron handle. This time period saw the transition from bronze to iron for the making of weapons - perhaps the person who commissioned this beautiful object was a trendsetter! Size: 2" W x 21.25" H (5.1 cm x 54 cm); 17" H (43.2 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 Cypress, Texas, USA collection, acquired from Art Ancient, London, England, United Kingdom; ex-Axel Guttmann collection, Berlin, Germany
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#132712
Condition
Extensive patina and deposits on both iron and bronze surfaces, with very nicely preserved form.