Luristan Bronze Mace Head

£ 300.00

A Luristan ceremonial cast bronze mace head of tubular shape. The mace is decorated towards the top with a vertical register of lozenge protrusions, separated from the rest of the shaft by sets of horizontal grooved ridges. The base is pierced.

Date: Circa 1200-800 BC
Condition: Fine, with some marks of ageing and beautiful green patina on the surface. Repaired to the top. A very fine example mounted on a custom-made stand.
Product Code: NES-09
Category: Tags: , ,

These types of objects are normally called mace heads. They may have been mounted on a shaft as a symbol of rank, perhaps derivative from a true weapon of similar form. Luristan bronze comes from the province of Lorestan, a region of modern day western Iran. In the ancient world it was settled by a number of peoples, such as the Medes, the Kassites, and eventually the Persians. Many small bronze objects have been found in the area – these items range from ornaments, to weapons, and even vessels. Luristan bronze goods have been found primarily in a funerary context. The Luristan Bronzes represent the art of a nomadic people, for whom all possessions needed to be light and portable.

To learn more about the metalwork of ancient Luristan, visit our relevant blog post: Ancient Luristan and the Luristan Bronzes.

Dimensions H 18 cm
Metal

Bronze

Region

Near East (Western Asiatic)

You may also like…