Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0265

Western Asiatic Bronze Short Sword with Mushroom Pommel

LATE 2ND-EARLY 1ST MILLENNIUM B.C

22 1/4 in. (1.04 kg, 56.5 cm).

The hilt with mushroom-shaped pommel, round grip, crescentic guard, long sloping blade with rectangular-section mid-ridge.

Provenance

Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Literature

See a similar sword in Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 1, London, 2002, item 24, p.27.

Footnotes

This category of swords has been classified by Khorasani as 'swords with a mushroom pommel' and are usually characterised by a solid-cast hilt with a penannular guard, a ribbed or variously decorated grip and the conical hollow-cast mushroom pommel. Usually the blade is multi-fullered and tapers to a sharp tip. Moorey considers them to be from the end of the 2nd millennium B.C.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine 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 0265

Western Asiatic Bronze Short Sword with Mushroom Pommel

Estimate £400 - 600€460 - 700 (for guidance only)$540 - 810 (for guidance only)

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Roman Pompey the Great Lead Slingshot
    Roman 'Pompey the Great' Lead Slingshot
    1st century B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £364

    Biconical lead slingshot (glans) with inscription in Latin letters 'CN' (Cneius) 'MAG' (Magnus) on one side, and 'IMP' for 'IMPERATOR' (victorious general) to the other side, i.e Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus Imperator (Pompey the Great the victorious general). 81 grams, 47 mm



    From the collection of a London antiquarian, formed since the 1980s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

    Lot Details

  • Western Asiatic Arrowhead Group
    Western Asiatic Arrowhead Group
    19th-6th century B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £234

    Comprising paddle-shaped arrowheads with a flat, comparatively wide mid-rib; socketted types with thick midrib, leaf-shaped, and other types. 272 grams total, 4.2-11.3 cm



    Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

    Some of the represented arrowheads (paddle-shaped) were typical of the Old Babylonian Empire. The shoulders were pronounced and the arrowhead had a rectangular-section tapering tang. This simple form was popular throughout and are comparatively common finds in the Holy Land.

    Lot Details

  • Iberian Iron Dagger with Rivetted Hilt
    Iberian Iron Dagger with Rivetted Hilt
    2nd century B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,080

    A pugio military dagger with waisted leaf-shaped blade, rounded midrib, rectangular rivetted baluster, short grip with crescent pommel. 235 grams, 30.6 cm



    Ex North American private collection, 1970s-1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

    The pugio appeared as a side weapon of the Roman legionary in the 2nd century B.C. However, its full diffusion within the Roman army begun with Caesar and Augustus, where it appeared as the reserve weapon for the heavy infantryman. The present specimen belongs to the Celtiberian tribes who fought against the Roman army in the 2nd century B.C., but represents one of the first prototypes adopted from the Iberians by the Roman legionaries.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list