Iron Sword Known As "masks" - Luristan (louristan), 1100-700 Bc

Iron sword known as "with masks" - Luristan (Luristan), 1100-700 BC Rare but well-known type of sword from Luristan (in Archaic Persia, present-day Iran), among the very first iron swords of humanity. This type of sword with masks appears in Luristan at the very end of the Iron Age I and seems to disappear at the beginning of the Iron Age III (1100-700 BC). This one is in a remarkable state of preservation. Discoidal pommel decorated with two human heads. Ringed hilt and straight double-edged blade with thick central rib. Sold with its old collection label: Conan Auclair 29/6/76 Ref. No. 30160 Louristan Iron dagger Pommel decorated with two stylized heads (ref. David Weil collection) David David-Weill (1871-1952) was an important banker and financier and a great art collector and patron. For examples of similar swords, see the Louvre, inventory number AO 20881 (exhibited Sully, [AO] Room 306, display case 10) and inventory number AO 18665: https://collections.louvre.fr/ark:/53355/cl010130310 https://collections.louvre.fr/ark:/53355/cl010215587 At auction, see G.Grimm collection, Aguttes sale 18/12/2018 lot 184: https://www.aguttes.com/en/lot/94529/9664762-rare-epee-courte-aux-masques-luristan-cira-1-000-800-av-jc Bibliography: - Bronzes from Luristan, enigmas of Ancient Iran 3rd-1st millennium BC. JC (page 91, number 35 and 36). Cernushi Museum, Paris. - Ars Asiatica XVII, Bronzes of Luriastan by André Godard, 1931. Page 40-41, plate X, number 22 and 22bis. Length 45cm Blade length 29cm Weight 842gr