North-Western Persian Bronze Dagger Blade with Wavy Blood Channels
Late 2nd millennium B.C. With rounded shoulders and thick mid-rib with undulated blood-channels running to the blade tip; short tang with fastening hole. Cf. Thrane, H., ‘Tepe Guran and the Luristan Bronzes’ in Archaeology, Vol. 23, No.1, January, 1970, pp. 26-35, fig.p.30, for a similar dagger with a simpler mid-rib. 258 grams, 34 cm (13 3/8 in.).

Acquired 1980-2015.Ex Abelita family collection.

The Luri people produced a quantity of fine metalwork, which according to Dr Khorasani, could be due to a settled period which arose as a result of the defeat of the Elamites by the Babylonians, leaving the Luristani people in relative peace for a period of time after 1200 BC. According to Khorasani 'A culture of innovation and experimentation flourished, and the repertoire of the Luristan smiths expanded in the period between 1150-1050 BC.'.