Lot 38

Description

The blade is willow leaf-shaped with slightly outwardly curved cutting edges. The approx. 4 mm wide cutting edges are clearly separated from the solid middle section of the blade with a strong central ridge by a step. Below the trapezoidal upper section of the blade is a recessed, notched ricasso (blunt edge) approx. 4.5 cm long. The trapezoidal end of the blade is enclosed by a solid handle in overlay casting. At the lower end of the inwardly indented edge below the handle, there are two engraved blind rivets on both sides. At the upper end of the edge, there is a spiral decoration, which is slightly worn towards the edge. The three bulges of the slightly bulging handle are decorated with vertical notches. Above this is the conical pommel with a flat top. The underside is decorated with two rows of opposing triangles. On the top are circular eyes in the fields between a wavy line. In the center is a cylindrical pommel head surrounded by three circular lines. The pommel is pierced on one side for a leather strap to secure the sword to the hand. Beautiful dark green patina. Minor chips on both sides just before the tip. Otherwise, several nicks in the middle of the blade caused by heavy blows against an edge. This damage is probably not due to combat, but rather to ritually damaging the weapon before it was deposited. Such ritual damage (including bending or smashing into several pieces) is common in finds from this period. However, this hardly detracts from the overall appearance of this otherwise excellently preserved Late Bronze Age sword. Length 66.3 cm.

Provenance: Süddeutsche Privatsammlung.

Condition: II Questions about the lot?