Near East - Luristanian Antiquities (Luristan)

The art of ancient Luristan in the west of Iran mainly dates from the 12th to 8th centuries B.C. and has become famous for its engraved bronze artifacts and castings of horse trappings, weapons, and standards. The most common of the Luristan bronzes are probably the horse trappings and harness ornaments. The cheek pieces are often very elaborate, sometimes in the shape of ordinary animals such as horses or goats but also in the form of imaginary beasts like winged human-faced bulls. They are believed to have been produced either by the Cimmerians or by Indo-European peoples of Media or Persia.

Luristan Bronze Bucranium Pendant From ancient Luristan, ca. 1200 B.C. Bucranium pendant in bronze with suspension loop at back of head. Nicely detailed throughout, wonderful brown patina. $595.00

Luristan also shows strong links with an area between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea known in ancient times as the kingdom of Urartu. Urartian (also known as Hurrian) art shows strong links with the art of Syria and Phoenicia. Its colorful style, using enamel and stone accents in their metal work, is a departure from the art of Assyria and Babylonia but more in keeping with the inlay style of the Near East and even that of Egypt.