**First Time At Auction**

Near East or Central Asia, Bactria or Luristan culture, ca. 3000 to 1000 BCE. A gorgeous pin for a cloak or tunic, cast from copper with a lapis lazuli finial. The shaft tapers to a blunt tip; the surface has developed lovely russet and green patina. The lapis lazuli stone is a deep blue and polished to a pleasantly smooth surface. This stone sphere is drilled through the center and mounted on a narrow rod protruding from the pin head. Elaborate fashion pieces like this example were used to fasten clothes before the widespread adoption of fibulae (brooches) and this lovely example was a status symbol amongst those who could afford their production and material. Size: 8" L x 0.5" W (20.3 cm x 1.3 cm)

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, acquired 1990s

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#165696

Age commensurate pitting and chips to surface layers and tip of rod. Nicks and abrasions to lapis stone, otherwise intact. Layers of green and russet patina.