LURISTAN SHIELD BOSS
WESTERN ASIA, C. 9TH - 8TH CENTURY B.C.
African & Oceanic Art, Natural History and Ancient Art
Auction: 30 July 2025 from 14:00 BST
Description
hammered bronze sheet, with the rim turned slightly outwards, and the surface adorned with a series of concentric rings
Dimensions
16cm diameter
Provenance
From a private collection, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, formed prior to 1969 and thence by descent
Footnote
It is generally believed that the Luristan region was a significant center for metalworking during the Iron Age in the ancient Near East. The area produced a wide range of bronze and iron objects, including weapons, ornaments, horse fittings, and ritual items. Large numbers of these artefacts, particularly weaponry and decorative items, have been discovered not only in Luristan but also in neighbouring regions, suggesting that they were widely traded or possibly commissioned by other cultures, including entities that would later form part of the Persian Empire.