Superb Danubian Hallstatt Bronze Sword

About Auction

Live

Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic

By Artemis Gallery

Oct 8, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-10-08 10:00:00 2020-10-08 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-5796
Museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal,Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

View Full Catalog (353)

• Lot Description
  Ancient Central Europe, Danube River Basin, Hallstatt culture, Late Bronze Age, ca. 1400 to 1100 BCE. A stunning and finely preserved sword forged from bronze with a bare handle beneath a bicorn pommel. The lengthy blade is of a double-edged design characteristic of battle-ready Hallstatt weaponry and exhibits a gently corseted shoulder, incredibly sharp edges that taper to a pointed tip, and an incised interior outline of the blade profile. The integral shoulder features flared wings with a pair of perforated rivet holes along the edges, and the attenuated handle has two additional rivet holes meant to accommodate a perishable handle made of wood, bone, or hide. Perfect for swinging or thrusting attacks, this is a magnificent example of fine Hallstatt weaponry! Size: 27" L x 2.6" W (68.6 cm x 6.6 cm)
  
  Hallstatt culture developed from the earlier Urnfield culture, and would progress into the later La Tene culture, which is often called Celtic. However, these names and classifications have been imposed upon ancient peoples by archaeologists and historians (Hallstatt, for example, takes its name from the type site, which is located in Austria southeast of Salzburg). Roughly 2700 years ago, these people lived in small groups, probably loosely confederated for trading purposes but engaging in frequent warfare. Elites controlled powerful hillforts and revered the horse, traveling by and perhaps warring with chariots. Swords like these were among the numerous means by which elites could showcase and flaunt their wealth and status. High-quality swords were often placed in rivers, interred in the ground, or even broken in ritualistic contexts to garner favor from the gods, and some were even buried with their owners. Unbroken examples like this are incredibly rare.
  
  Cf. Flinders Petrie, W.M. "Tools and Weapons." Hazell, Watson and Viney, London, 1917, Ch. 5, p. 159, fig. 8; also see The British Museum, museum number 1871,1003.1
  
  Provenance: ex-estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, acquired before 2000
  
  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.
  
  #159197

  Condition

  Losses to original handle and guard components as shown. Slight bending to overall form of blade, with nicks to blade edges and handle, and light encrustations, otherwise intact and near-choice. Wonderful mottled brown and green patina throughout.
• Shipping Info

  • 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.

• Buyer's Premium
  • 26.50 %