Bronze Age, Luristan Bronze Dagger
05
days
00
hours
47
minutes
23
seconds
Current bid
€ 500
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 1,100 - € 1,400
 | €500 |
|---|
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 144426 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Bronze Age Luristan dagger, 217 mm by 47 mm, made of bronze with original authenticity, in good condition, from an ex-German private collection and supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity and export licence.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
ITEM: Dagger
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Bronze Age, Luristan
PERIOD: 2500 - 2000 B.C
DIMENSIONS: 217 mm x 47 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, H.P., acquired before 1990
PARALLEL: British Museum Online Collection, Museum number 128761
An artifact of remarkable metalwork and martial craftsmanship, the Luristan bronze dagger embodies the sophisticated metallurgy of the ancient nomadic tribes inhabiting the Zagros Mountains of western Iran during the early first millennium BCE. Forged primarily during the Late Bronze Age into the early Iron Age, these weapons are celebrated for their distinctive, balanced proportions and the harmonious integration of hilt and blade. Artisans of the Luristan culture mastered the intricate lost-wax casting technique, allowing them to create intricate, single-piece dagger designs where the grip, pommel, and blade were cast as a cohesive unit. This seamless construction not only ensured structural integrity during combat or ritual use but also provided a smooth, ergonomic feel in the hand, reflecting an advanced understanding of both utility and aesthetic grace.
Beyond their practical function as sidearms, Luristan bronze daggers served as potent symbols of status, identity, and ritual significance within tribal society. Many extant examples feature elaborate hilt decorations, including anthropomorphic motifs, stylized animal forms such as horses or felines, and ribbed grips designed to enhance grip security and visual appeal. The greenish-blue patina that coats these ancient bronzes—developed through centuries of burial in mountain soil—accents the subtle geometric engravings and flowing contours of the metal, heightening their sculptural presence. These daggers were frequently interred in elite burials alongside other prestigious horse trappings and bronze weaponry, signifying the warrior's high standing and the spiritual importance of arms in the afterlife.
Today, Luristan daggers occupy a revered place in ancient art collections, bridging the gap between utilitarian weaponry and expressive Near Eastern sculpture. Their enduring appeal lies in the tension between their lethal original purpose and the remarkable artistic sensibility poured into their creation by anonymous ancient smiths. As tangible links to the equestrian societies of the ancient Iranian highlands, these bronzes continue to captivate historians and collectors alike, offering profound insights into the metallurgical prowess, iconography, and warrior ethos of a vanished mountainous civilization.
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license
Seller's Story
Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google TranslateITEM: Dagger
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Bronze Age, Luristan
PERIOD: 2500 - 2000 B.C
DIMENSIONS: 217 mm x 47 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, H.P., acquired before 1990
PARALLEL: British Museum Online Collection, Museum number 128761
An artifact of remarkable metalwork and martial craftsmanship, the Luristan bronze dagger embodies the sophisticated metallurgy of the ancient nomadic tribes inhabiting the Zagros Mountains of western Iran during the early first millennium BCE. Forged primarily during the Late Bronze Age into the early Iron Age, these weapons are celebrated for their distinctive, balanced proportions and the harmonious integration of hilt and blade. Artisans of the Luristan culture mastered the intricate lost-wax casting technique, allowing them to create intricate, single-piece dagger designs where the grip, pommel, and blade were cast as a cohesive unit. This seamless construction not only ensured structural integrity during combat or ritual use but also provided a smooth, ergonomic feel in the hand, reflecting an advanced understanding of both utility and aesthetic grace.
Beyond their practical function as sidearms, Luristan bronze daggers served as potent symbols of status, identity, and ritual significance within tribal society. Many extant examples feature elaborate hilt decorations, including anthropomorphic motifs, stylized animal forms such as horses or felines, and ribbed grips designed to enhance grip security and visual appeal. The greenish-blue patina that coats these ancient bronzes—developed through centuries of burial in mountain soil—accents the subtle geometric engravings and flowing contours of the metal, heightening their sculptural presence. These daggers were frequently interred in elite burials alongside other prestigious horse trappings and bronze weaponry, signifying the warrior's high standing and the spiritual importance of arms in the afterlife.
Today, Luristan daggers occupy a revered place in ancient art collections, bridging the gap between utilitarian weaponry and expressive Near Eastern sculpture. Their enduring appeal lies in the tension between their lethal original purpose and the remarkable artistic sensibility poured into their creation by anonymous ancient smiths. As tangible links to the equestrian societies of the ancient Iranian highlands, these bronzes continue to captivate historians and collectors alike, offering profound insights into the metallurgical prowess, iconography, and warrior ethos of a vanished mountainous civilization.
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license
Seller's Story
Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Bronze Age, Luristan
Century/timeframe
2500 - 2000 B.C
Name of object
Dagger
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2026
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Germany
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Previous owner - country acquired from
Germany
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
