A substantial bronze spear head with thick central strengthening rib and a tang with rat-tailed buttoned terminal. The shaft of the spearhead decorated with a simple cast oval and linear pattern.
 
Luristan area of Western Persia; Iron age I: Circa 1200-1000 BC.
 
Very Fine condition; complete and intact: stable strong bronze, slightly pitted one side, with good patination.
Length 38 cms (15 ins).
 
Provenance: Ex Abelita family collection, 1980-2015.
 
For similar spearhead excavated at the Royal Tombs, Marlik, see: Ezat O. Negahban, 'Weapons from Marlik', Berlin 1995, item 78.
 
For a similar type of tang see: 'Catalogue of the Ancient Persian Bronzes in the Ashmoleon Museum', P.R.S. Moorey; Oxford University Press 1971, item 84.
 
The term Luristan is a generic term since, as with the vast majority of such pieces, we do not have the detailed information of a specific find site. Luristan items are well-documented however, and we can have recourse to many museum collections as well as detailed descriptions in various publications.