Ancient Luristan Bronze Pendant Bells | Iron Age | Circa 10th–7th Century BCE

Provenance & Ownership History
More Less

Offered by Waddington’s Auctioneers & Appraisers, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in its Cabinet of Curiosities auction on June 19, 2019, as Lot 325. The piece subsequently entered a prominent private collection in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Expert Assessment: Examined by Luca Salvaggio, an Italian archaeologist specializing in ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern material, with a Postgraduate Diploma from the Italian Archaeological School at Athens (IASA) and accreditation for preventive archaeology from the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC). He identified the smaller openwork bronze bell as Luristan, Iron Age, circa 10th–7th century BCE, while attributing the larger bronze bell with horse-head protomes to the Parthian Period, circa 3rd century BCE–3rd century CE.

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$1,000.00
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Pair of ancient Iranian bronze pendant bells featuring a Parthian horse-head bell and smaller Iron Age Luristan openwork rattle
360-degree rotating view of two ancient Iranian bronze pendant bells, including a Luristan Iron Age example dating to the 10th–7th century BCE. Features distinctive openwork bronze construction, suspension loops, decorative metalwork, and naturally aged green patina, showcasing ancient Persian craftsmanship and historical bell-making traditions.
Pair of ancient Iranian cast bronze pendant bells featuring an Iron Age Luristan openwork rattle and a Parthian horse-head bell, mounted together for display.
Ancient Persian bronze bell collection spanning the Iron Age to Parthian Period, featuring two distinct suspended bells with archaeological patina and decorative metalwork.
Ancient Parthian bronze pendant bell dating to the 3rd century BCE–3rd century CE, featuring a conical body and decorative horse-head protomes.
Parthian Period cast bronze bell from ancient Iran, displaying two sculpted horse heads flanking the suspension opening and a flared lower rim.
Ancient Persian bronze horse-head bell featuring zoomorphic decoration, a moulded rim band, and green archaeological patina with mineral deposits.
Parthian bronze pendant bell with a conical body, flaring base, and distinctive equine protomes, reflecting ancient Iranian metalworking traditions.
Archaeological Parthian bronze bell displaying malachite-green corrosion, surface oxidation, and sculpted horse-head ornaments surrounding its suspension opening.
Ancient Luristan bronze rattle bell from Western Iran, dating to the 10th–7th century BCE, featuring a globular openwork body and integral suspension loop.
Iron Age Persian bronze pendant bell with vertical openwork bars, rounded hollow construction, and dark green archaeological patina.
Ancient Iranian Luristan bronze rattle featuring an openwork cage-like structure, suspension loop, and traditional cast metalwork dating to circa 1000–700 BCE.
  • Pair of ancient Iranian bronze pendant bells featuring a Parthian horse-head bell and smaller Iron Age Luristan openwork rattle
  • 360-degree rotating view of two ancient Iranian bronze pendant bells, including a Luristan Iron Age example dating to the 10th–7th century BCE. Features distinctive openwork bronze construction, suspension loops, decorative metalwork, and naturally aged green patina, showcasing ancient Persian craftsmanship and historical bell-making traditions.
  • Pair of ancient Iranian cast bronze pendant bells featuring an Iron Age Luristan openwork rattle and a Parthian horse-head bell, mounted together for display.
  • Ancient Persian bronze bell collection spanning the Iron Age to Parthian Period, featuring two distinct suspended bells with archaeological patina and decorative metalwork.
  • Ancient Parthian bronze pendant bell dating to the 3rd century BCE–3rd century CE, featuring a conical body and decorative horse-head protomes.
  • Parthian Period cast bronze bell from ancient Iran, displaying two sculpted horse heads flanking the suspension opening and a flared lower rim.
  • Ancient Persian bronze horse-head bell featuring zoomorphic decoration, a moulded rim band, and green archaeological patina with mineral deposits.
  • Parthian bronze pendant bell with a conical body, flaring base, and distinctive equine protomes, reflecting ancient Iranian metalworking traditions.
  • Archaeological Parthian bronze bell displaying malachite-green corrosion, surface oxidation, and sculpted horse-head ornaments surrounding its suspension opening.
  • Ancient Luristan bronze rattle bell from Western Iran, dating to the 10th–7th century BCE, featuring a globular openwork body and integral suspension loop.
  • Iron Age Persian bronze pendant bell with vertical openwork bars, rounded hollow construction, and dark green archaeological patina.
  • Ancient Iranian Luristan bronze rattle featuring an openwork cage-like structure, suspension loop, and traditional cast metalwork dating to circa 1000–700 BCE.
Pair of ancient Iranian bronze pendant bells featuring a Parthian horse-head bell and smaller Iron Age Luristan openwork rattle
360-degree rotating view of two ancient Iranian bronze pendant bells, including a Luristan Iron Age example dating to the 10th–7th century BCE. Features distinctive openwork bronze construction, suspension loops, decorative metalwork, and naturally aged green patina, showcasing ancient Persian craftsmanship and historical bell-making traditions.
Pair of ancient Iranian cast bronze pendant bells featuring an Iron Age Luristan openwork rattle and a Parthian horse-head bell, mounted together for display.
Ancient Persian bronze bell collection spanning the Iron Age to Parthian Period, featuring two distinct suspended bells with archaeological patina and decorative metalwork.
Ancient Parthian bronze pendant bell dating to the 3rd century BCE–3rd century CE, featuring a conical body and decorative horse-head protomes.
Parthian Period cast bronze bell from ancient Iran, displaying two sculpted horse heads flanking the suspension opening and a flared lower rim.
Ancient Persian bronze horse-head bell featuring zoomorphic decoration, a moulded rim band, and green archaeological patina with mineral deposits.
Parthian bronze pendant bell with a conical body, flaring base, and distinctive equine protomes, reflecting ancient Iranian metalworking traditions.
Archaeological Parthian bronze bell displaying malachite-green corrosion, surface oxidation, and sculpted horse-head ornaments surrounding its suspension opening.
Ancient Luristan bronze rattle bell from Western Iran, dating to the 10th–7th century BCE, featuring a globular openwork body and integral suspension loop.
Iron Age Persian bronze pendant bell with vertical openwork bars, rounded hollow construction, and dark green archaeological patina.
Ancient Iranian Luristan bronze rattle featuring an openwork cage-like structure, suspension loop, and traditional cast metalwork dating to circa 1000–700 BCE.
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Ancient Luristan Bronze Pendant Bells | Iron Age | Circa 10th–7th Century BCE

Description
More Less

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Ancient Iran, including Luristan and the Parthian cultural sphere
Material: Cast bronze
Period: Iron Age to Parthian Period

Description

This pair of ancient Iranian bronze pendant bells represents two distinct metalworking traditions from different periods of antiquity.

The smaller bell is attributed to Luristan, Western Iran, during the Iron Age, circa 10th–7th century BCE. It has a globular openwork body formed from plain vertical bars and an integral suspension loop. The hollow interior was designed to contain a loose pellet, allowing the bell to function as a rattle when moved.

The larger bell is attributed to the Parthian period, circa 3rd century BCE–3rd century CE. It has a conical body with a flaring base and a moulded band around the rim. Two distinctive horse-head protomes flank the suspension opening at the top, creating a highly decorative zoomorphic form.

Although the two bells date to different periods, they were preserved and collected together and are offered here as a single display group illustrating the long tradition of bronze bell production in ancient Iran.

Features

- Smaller bell attributed to Luristan, Iron Age, circa 10th–7th century BCE

- Globular openwork body formed from plain vertical bars

- Integral suspension loop

- Originally designed to contain a loose internal rattle pellet

- Larger bell attributed to the Parthian Period, circa 3rd century BCE–3rd century CE

- Conical body with flaring base

- Moulded decorative band around the rim

- Two horse-head protomes flanking the suspension opening

- Both retain their complete overall forms

- Mounted together for modern display

Cultural Significance

Ancient Iran supported a long and sophisticated tradition of bronze casting extending across many centuries. The smaller bell reflects the celebrated metalworking tradition of Iron Age Luristan, known for distinctive weapons, ornaments, horse fittings, and suspended bronze objects.

The larger bell belongs to the later Parthian tradition and is distinguished by its zoomorphic horse-head decoration. A comparable Parthian bronze bell with similar horse protomes is held by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, inventory no. 62.225.5.

Together, the pair provides an interesting comparison between two separate phases of ancient Iranian bronze production and decorative metalworking.

Condition

Both bells are complete with age-related surface wear and archaeological patination. The larger Parthian bell displays a green patina with areas of malachite-coloured corrosion, while the smaller Luristan bell retains a dark green patina. Surface oxidation and mineral deposits are consistent with considerable age. Both pieces are mounted for display.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 3.5 in
Width: 1.5 in
Depth: 1.5 in

Age (Approximate)

2,625–3,025 years old

Provenance

Offered by Waddington’s Auctioneers & Appraisers, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in its Cabinet of Curiosities auction on June 19, 2019, as Lot 325. The piece subsequently entered a prominent private collection in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Expert Assessment: Examined by Luca Salvaggio, an Italian archaeologist specializing in ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern material, with a Postgraduate Diploma from the Italian Archaeological School at Athens (IASA) and accreditation for preventive archaeology from the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC). He identified the smaller openwork bronze bell as Luristan, Iron Age, circa 10th–7th century BCE, while attributing the larger bronze bell with horse-head protomes to the Parthian Period, circa 3rd century BCE–3rd century CE.

Learn More

Explore a comparable ancient Parthian bronze bell at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Browse our Collection of Middle Eastern Antiquities and Ancient Art

Description

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Ancient Iran, including Luristan and the Parthian cultural sphere
Material: Cast bronze
Period: Iron Age to Parthian Period

Description

This pair of ancient Iranian bronze pendant bells represents two distinct metalworking traditions from different periods of antiquity.

The smaller bell is attributed to Luristan, Western Iran, during the Iron Age, circa 10th–7th century BCE. It has a globular openwork body formed from plain vertical bars and an integral suspension loop. The hollow interior was designed to contain a loose pellet, allowing the bell to function as a rattle when moved.

The larger bell is attributed to the Parthian period, circa 3rd century BCE–3rd century CE. It has a conical body with a flaring base and a moulded band around the rim. Two distinctive horse-head protomes flank the suspension opening at the top, creating a highly decorative zoomorphic form.

Although the two bells date to different periods, they were preserved and collected together and are offered here as a single display group illustrating the long tradition of bronze bell production in ancient Iran.

Features

- Smaller bell attributed to Luristan, Iron Age, circa 10th–7th century BCE

- Globular openwork body formed from plain vertical bars

- Integral suspension loop

- Originally designed to contain a loose internal rattle pellet

- Larger bell attributed to the Parthian Period, circa 3rd century BCE–3rd century CE

- Conical body with flaring base

- Moulded decorative band around the rim

- Two horse-head protomes flanking the suspension opening

- Both retain their complete overall forms

- Mounted together for modern display

Cultural Significance

Ancient Iran supported a long and sophisticated tradition of bronze casting extending across many centuries. The smaller bell reflects the celebrated metalworking tradition of Iron Age Luristan, known for distinctive weapons, ornaments, horse fittings, and suspended bronze objects.

The larger bell belongs to the later Parthian tradition and is distinguished by its zoomorphic horse-head decoration. A comparable Parthian bronze bell with similar horse protomes is held by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, inventory no. 62.225.5.

Together, the pair provides an interesting comparison between two separate phases of ancient Iranian bronze production and decorative metalworking.

Condition

Both bells are complete with age-related surface wear and archaeological patination. The larger Parthian bell displays a green patina with areas of malachite-coloured corrosion, while the smaller Luristan bell retains a dark green patina. Surface oxidation and mineral deposits are consistent with considerable age. Both pieces are mounted for display.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 3.5 in
Width: 1.5 in
Depth: 1.5 in

Age (Approximate)

2,625–3,025 years old

Provenance

Offered by Waddington’s Auctioneers & Appraisers, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in its Cabinet of Curiosities auction on June 19, 2019, as Lot 325. The piece subsequently entered a prominent private collection in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Expert Assessment: Examined by Luca Salvaggio, an Italian archaeologist specializing in ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern material, with a Postgraduate Diploma from the Italian Archaeological School at Athens (IASA) and accreditation for preventive archaeology from the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC). He identified the smaller openwork bronze bell as Luristan, Iron Age, circa 10th–7th century BCE, while attributing the larger bronze bell with horse-head protomes to the Parthian Period, circa 3rd century BCE–3rd century CE.

Learn More

Explore a comparable ancient Parthian bronze bell at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Browse our Collection of Middle Eastern Antiquities and Ancient Art

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