A bronze shortsword or dagger of a type found in the Marlik royal tombs, as well as in Luristan. The blade and hilt cast in one piece. The weapon has a good sized blade, rectangular guard, round grip with ribbed lappets on both sides which would have contained the inlay of wood or bone, and a semi-circular pommel. Supplied with a simple wood stand.
 
Western Asiatic Luristan: Circa 1200-800 BC.
 
Fine condition; the metal stable with an olive green patina over much of the weapon. The edges of the lappets around the hilt and pommel have damage or are missing in places; a few light accretions.
 
Length: 41 cms (16.1 ins)
 
Provenance: Ex Abelita family collection; acquired 1980-2015
 
Literature: Cf. See items 46-48; Weapons From Marlik; Ezat O. Negahban. Also see Item 54; Catalogue of the Ancient Persian Bronzes in the Ashmoleon Museum: P.R.S. Moorey.
 
Tepe Marlik is the site of an elite burial ground of the late 2nd-early 1st millennium BCE in the western Caspian basin.