Ancient Near East, northwestern Iran, Luristan, ca. 1000 to 700 BCE. A large example of a classic double disc pommel sword, made using the lost wax bronze casting technique. The blade is wide, with a broad, flat ridge down its tapering length. The handle is long and cylindrical, with a large disc in the middle of it, an hour-glass-shaped tubular section above it, and a larger disc topped by a round boss forming the hilt. The handle would once have had a wrapped leather, bone, wood, antler, or even ivory handle covering over its handle. Size: 3.3" W x 21.3" H (8.4 cm x 54.1 cm)
It seems that swords like this were not just made to be used in battle, but instead to show status or as votive weapons. There is a strong tradition in the ancient Near East of swords and other weapons being associated with the gods. For example, there is a rock carving dating to ca. 1300 BCE from this region that shows a scene of the gods of the Underworld, including one who is holding a sword similar to this one. Similarly, a golden bowl excavated at Hasanlu (northwestern Iran) shows three swords of similar form to this one that are associated with three deities from the Hittite pantheon. Whatever its original function, this would have been a spectacular weapon to behold, with a deep, shining surface when polished. Whoever commissioned this sword must have been a high status individual, perhaps seeking to honor their gods by handling such a weapon.
Provenance: private New York, USA collection; ex Dr. George Wald collection, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, acquired in the 1960s (Dr. Wald was the recipient of the 1967 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on the retina)
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#126985
Condition
End of blade is bent, as shown. Otherwise in beautiful condition, with lightly encrusted patina.