North-West Persian Bronze Short Sword with Integral Grip and Horns
Circa 1st millennium B.C. With curved 'horns' projecting on either side at the top of waisted grip, blade with flat mid-rib. Cf. Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 2, London, 2002, p.36, no.40. 242 grams, 41.5 cm (16 3/8 in.).

Acquired 1980-2015.Ex Abelita family collection.

The Luristani 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 B.C. 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.'