Bronze Sword Königsdorf II Hallstadt B1 Urnfield Period

[Jack Loomes]

Editor's Note: Text below translated by Google from the original German.

Lot Nr. 2302

A solid-hilted sword with bowl-shaped pommel, Königsdorf type, variant II, phase Hallstadt B1, Urnfield period, late 11th - mid-third of 10th century BC

Slightly bulbous grip with three decorative areas segmented by four bands consisting of parallel lines. Within these areas intertwined, horizontal, S-shaped bands composed of parallel lines. Thereunder the pincer-shaped extension of the grip, which is decorated with equally fine, hatched triangles and incised lines and holds the separately worked blade affixed with two rivets. The grip is surmounted by a bowl-shaped pommel decorated with concentric circles on the underside and herringbone pattern at the transition to the grip, the inside with concentric circle bands composed of thin bundles of lines and a central mushroom-shaped button with six arches encircling a central point. Between button and bowl a hole for the attachment of a lanyard. The upper part of the blade below the grip with constricted ricasso finely serrated on both sides. Triple-faceted central ridge in the upper section blending into a cambered lower section. The maximum blade width of 4.8 cm, characteristic of cutting weapons, is between the lower and the middle third. The lower third of the blade is decorated on the inside with bands composed of several lines running parallel to the edge, the outer band with coarse, the inner one with fine lines. Unusually beautiful, emerald-green, smooth patina which favourably enhances the extraordinarily well-preserved, finely incised ornamentation. Magnificent specimen of aesthetic attractiveness in impeccable condition.

Length 59.5 cm.

Provenance: South German private collection, acquired in the late 1980s from an art dealer.

The sword had been broken in antiquity for ritual purposes into four parts that are completely preserved. These parts have been welded together during a restoration and the surface of the blade consisting completely of metallic substance has been aligned with paint to the colour of the original patina including the weld seams. On one side of the blade the paint has been removed in order to make the weld seams visible.

Condition: II+ Sold: 6000 EURO May 2014

Source: www.hermann-historica.de/auktion/hhm68.pl?f=NR_LOT&c=2302&t=temartic_A_GB&db=kat68_aw.txt