Bronze Age Horse Harness Boss Group

Formed as a leaf-shaped blade with raised ribs on both sides, pierced through the tang. 41 grams, 12.2 cm



From an ancient art collection, formerly acquired on the UK, European, and USA art markets from pre-2000 collections. Property of a West Northamptonshire, UK, gentleman.

Including: a) a dagger or short sword in bronze, with grooves on the blade and semicircular guard, oval pommel with a large, two-tiered button in the centre, two smaller buttons at the ends, and two other buttons on the sides; b) the pommel of a second dagger; c) a small axe in crescent shape ornamented by bosses; d) a harness element shaped like a bronze disc fitted with a spike; e) a large violin bow fibula; f) a small boat fibula, decorated on the surface with lines forming a cross; g) a small arched fibula; h) a large bronze ring, with shape and dimensions of a bracelet; i-j) two smaller rings of rhomboid shape. 2 kg total, 7.4-29 cm including stands



Discovered c.1880-90 near Ajaccio, Corsica. Private collection of Mr Ducasse. Thence by descent to Jean Dimitri Ducasse (b.1883), Sarrebourg. Thence by descent. Belle Vente Meuble et Objets d’Art, Cortot et Associés, 26 November 2022, no.133. Acquired from the above sale. Accompanied by a copy of French cultural export passport no.237816. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate, no.S00228228. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.13241-251803.

According to the examination of R. Forrer, the hoard belonged to the culture of the Shardana, who colonised Sardinia and part of Corsica at the end of the first millennium B.C. Forrer dated the hoard to 900 B.C., a period in which the culture of the Nuraghes of Sardinia was at its zenith. The hoard possibly represents a votive treasure, because the axe is without a hole for insertion in a shaft, although the dagger and the other elements could be perfectly usable in the everyday life of the ancient Sardinian people.

A penannular bracelet formed of a round-section bar with overlapping terminals, inked collection number '2726' on the inner face. 20.7 grams, 65 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.