Very Rare Near Eastern Bronze Dagger & Sheath

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Fine Ethnographic / Asian / Ancient Art

By Artemis Gallery

May 10, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-05-10 10:00:00 2018-05-10 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Fine Ethnographic / Asian / Ancient Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-ethnographic-asian-ancient-art-3213
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• Lot Description
  Ancient Near East, Luristan or early Persian, ca. late 2nd to early 1st millennium BCE. A rare bronze dagger and sheath set, boasting elegant designs not often seen in ancient weaponry. The dagger features an openwork lattice-style handle with a globular pommel, cast in the lost-wax technique, the blade cast separately and then secured to the handle with its lengthy tang. The blade is slender in design with an incised rectangular guard, and a pronounced grooved mid-rib traces down both faces. The sheath exhibits a similar openwork construction as the handle, the obverse side embellished with seventeen dimpled bulbs as well as a grooved cross-shaped bottom tip. The verso has several off-set suspension holes for securing to a belt or other vestments. Rich areas of russet- and emerald-hued patina provide for a beautiful appearance. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 10.375" H (26.4 cm); 10.75" H (27.3 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  It seems that swords like this example 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 an elite individual of high status, perhaps seeking to honor the gods by handling such a weapon.
  
  Provenance: ex-private Cypress, Texas, USA collection
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
  
  #132713

  Condition

  Blade fits inside of sheath. Dagger pommel is removable and has small losses to openwork design. Sheath has small chips to rim. Surface wear commensurate with age, slight bending to overall form, small nicks to blade edges and handle, with light roughness across most surfaces, otherwise excellent. Nice earthen deposits as well as stunning russet and green patina throughout.
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