Bronze Age European Sword

An ancient Bronze Age European sword with a slender double edged blade and a bulging middle rib, a flat punched hilt- tongue with beveled edges; at the crossing are six punched holes with three preserved connection rivets.

Late Bronze Age, Central Europe.

Hallstatt, ca. 1200 - 900 BC.

Length: 19 5/8 in. (50 cm).

The inhabitants of Central Europe from Gaul to the Danube Basin in the second millennium BC coalesced into a culture identified in the archaeological record by large well defined cemeteries containing numerous cremation burials contained in cinerary urns. The graves were often accompanied by bronze tools and ornaments. The wealthiest burials were those of warriors and princes, often containing finely made bronze swords, spears, and adornments.

cf.: P.Schauer, Die Schwerter in Suddeutschland, Osterreich und der Schweiz I, PBF IV 2 (1971), pl. 90f. no. 592ff.

Formerly in a German private collection.

Inv#: 8882

Guaranteed Authentic

$6,500