Loading, please wait...
LOT 0261
Caucasian Bronze Hilted Iron Sword
IRON AGE, 8TH-6TH CENTURY B.C.
30 3/4 in. (2.2 kg total, 78 cm including stand).
A broad sword with tapering blade and rounded shoulders, bronze hilt with crescentic pommel and apotropaic eye motifs to both sides; accompanied by bronze scabbard or baldric elements including a pair of eyelets with suspension loops, four circular appliqués with conical tips and ropework borders, and a scabbard chape with two opposing ibexes; mounted on a custom-made display stand.
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12914-245170.
Cf. Voronov, Yu. N., ‘Weapons of the Ancient Abkhaz Tribes in the 6th-1st Centuries BC’ in Скифский мир., Киев, 1975, pp.218-234, fig.4, no.1, for a similar blade; Gorelik, M.,Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg (2003) in Russian, pl. VI, no.65.
FootnotesThe sword belongs to the Caucasian culture of the Colchis, and represents a very rare typology. A similar blade was found together with early Scythian arrows during excavations at Karmir-Blur. A similar combination found at Kulanurkhva’s excavations suggests that the appearance of such blades in Abkhazia is linked to the Scythian campaigns in Near Eastern Asia.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 0261
Caucasian Bronze Hilted Iron Sword
Estimate £4,000 - 6,000€4,640 - 6,960 (for guidance only)$5,400 - 8,100 (for guidance only)
-
Persian Dagger in White Metal and Copper Scabbard
19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Two-edged jambiya with narrow curved blade, brass bolster with silver facing and applied undulating band; hardwood grip, silver facing to pommel; silver-cased brass sheath with raised foliage ornament, pierced D-shaped suspension lug. 393 grams, 39 cm
Acquired during the 1960s. From an old North London oriental and ethnographical collection. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman. -
Kriegsmarine WWI German Naval Officer's Sword and Scabbard
Early 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Comprising a slender single-edged blade with etched designs; the hilt composed of a wire-bound ribbed bone handle, a lion-head pommel with inset eyes, and an ornate guard with folding edges, one side with a socket for securing the scabbard; accompanied a leather scabbard with ornate metal fittings. 778 grams total, 91 cm
From the private collection of author and historian Dr DeWitt Bailey, one of the global authorities on the confederate army in the US civil war; thence by descent to his grandson. -
Western Asiatic Style Dagger Pair
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Each a curved steel blade with two fullers, stamped 'SYRIE'; waisted bronze grip with applied bone panels, tendril ornament and 'SYRIA' legend to reverse; cast scabbard with suspension rings, guilloche decoration and 'SYRIA' legend. 655 grams total, 26.5-27 cm
Acquired during the 1960s. From an old North London oriental and ethnographical collection. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
