A LARGE LURISTANIAN IRON AGE CAST BRONZE SWORD, 19.25 inch(48.9cm) double edged flat tapering blade of slightly diamond section, with broad medial rib along length of blade to each side, 4.5 inch (11.45cm) hilt with waisted grip (original inlaid panels lacking, but with holes for fixing still intact), crescent shaped pommel, 23.5 inches (60cm) long approx. overall. Attractive olive-green patination but with some light encrustation (would perhaps benefit from professional restoration and conservation to bring it to exhibition display standard), few minor chips to both edges of blade, but no sign of any repairs and otherwise in good condition.
This sword's relatively simple design and plain crescent-shaped pommel suggest that it is probably a relatively early example Luristanian bronze work, of circa 1250 B.C. to circa 1150 B.C. vintage, produced during the period to which modern day archaeologists date the Trojan Wars of 1194 BC to 1184 BC, as recorded by the 3rd century BC scholar and polymath Erasthones of Cyrene (circa 276 BC to 195/194 BC), who dated the actual sacking of Troy to 1183 BC.
Modern day Lorestan (Luristan) is one of the thirty-one provinces of Iran, located in the Zagros Mountains in the western part of the country.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SWORD, ALTHOUGH AN ANCIENT ARTEFACT, IS TECHNICALLY OF IRANIAN ORIGIN. Goods of Iranian origin are currently the subject of import bans in a number of countries. If you are interested in purchasing this item and do not live in Ireland or the UK, please consult the authorities in your country of residence to ascertain whether you can import this item legally, prior to purchasing.
