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A Bronze Sword with Disc Pommel

CHF 5.800

Net for Export

Near Eastern

10th - 8th century B.C.

Bronze

Length: 57.3 cm (total)

Length: 13.0 cm (hilt)

Width: 6.3 cm

Long, double-edged blade with central rib. Both faces of the blade are bevelled to form the cutting edges. The lower part of the hilt embraces the blade in a fork-like manner; the two separately cast components are joined only by soldering along the forked edges and a centrally formed connecting bar. A comb-shaped appliqué in relief serves as decoration on both sides, the central tine being somewhat more prominent and ornamented with incised lines and cross motifs. The actual grip has a circular cross-section and a transverse drill hole in the rear section. The rear third of the hilt is decorated with two discs, which were probably intended to protect the hand from below. A remnant of iron protruding from the rear disc suggests that the hilt was cast around an iron core and was therefore manufactured separately. A modern adhesive repair at the transition of the hilt to the blade; a small part of the tip is broken off, but otherwise the sword is in a very good state of preservation. The surface, particularly of the blade, is corroded.

PROVENANCE

Formerly private collection Robert Aeschbacher (b. 1915 - d. 1944), medical doctor, Switzerland; inherited in 1994 by his son, Herrliberg, Switzerland.

NOTE

Cf. for the double-disc hilt: O. White Muscarella, Bronze and Iron. Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York 1988), p. 100f., cat. no. 166 (inv. 60.82.1), with reference to related examples from northern Iran / the region south of the Caspian Sea; P. R. S. Moorey, Catalogue of the Ancient Persian Bronzes in the Ashmolean Museum (Oxford 1971), p. 78, no. 58 (inv. AN1965.770); furthermore, Louvre, Paris, inv. AO 25223.

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