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THBScytho-Siberian Iron Sword, ex-Hermann Historica
Lot 120
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$2,900 - $4,350
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Oct 31, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-10-31 10:00:00
2019-10-31 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-art-4581
Our Halloween Day auction features classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe, plus fine art. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Our Halloween Day auction features classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe, plus fine art. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (467)
- Lot Description
Central Asia, Scytho-Siberian, ca. 5th century BCE. A large, well-preserved, forged iron sword with a flat, broad blade with a series of six narrow, low ridges that run down the center of the blade. The sword was forged with an integrated handle that is a simple, flat grip made to have wood, bone, ivory, or leather wrapped around it and an elongated ovoid pommel. The Scythians lived in the rich grazing lands of the Caucasian steppes, and were nomadic warriors on horseback who fought with iron swords like this one, battle-axes, spears, and javelins. According to Herodotus (so take it with a grain of salt as being ancient hearsay, though it is a good story), each year Scythian settlements erected a pyramid-shaped altar and placed an ancient iron sword atop it; the people of the settlement then brought offerings of horses, sheep, and goats as well as human sacrifices to the sword, which represented the god of war. Size: 26.875" L x 2.5" W (68.3 cm x 6.4 cm); 27" H (68.6 cm) on included custom stand.
Much of what we know of this culture comes from the incredibly rich burials of elite Scythians. Burial structures during this time were ovoid or rectangular pits, sometimes with wooden structures and, in the region of the North Black Sea, catacombs. Packed inside these tombs were a profusion of rich items, including an array of weapons like this one. For example, the Ukrainian tomb of a female Scythian warrior who died in combat - with a battle axe through the skull and a bronze arrowhead in her leg - contained a massive armored belt, a quiver with twenty bronze arrows with painted shafts, glass beads, pearls, silver and bronze bracelets, a bronze mirror, a tray filled with food for the afterlife - and, close to her body, two weapons.
Provenance: private J. Connell collection, Massachusetts, USA; ex-Hermann Historica International Auctions, Munchen, Germany
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#127393Very nice condition given that it is made of iron, with tiny losses to edges, clear detail remaining on much of the blade, and excellent form. Encrusted patina on surface.Condition
- Shipping Info
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All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Gallery will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please inquire BEFORE bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.
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