Description:

Roman, Late Republic to Imperial Period, ca. 1st century BCE to 3rd century CE. A large and rare hand-forged iron pugio - a famous type of broad dagger that was a popular sidearm for Roman soldiers and politicians carrying out assassinations. It has a wide blade flaring at the shoulder with where the handle grip covered the tang - either made of wooden, ivory, bone, or bronze - now lost to antiquity. Due to its iron content the vast majority of pugio blades were lost to oxidation - but environments such as burials and even bogs that are nearly oxygen-free, have provided some exceptional finds such as this example! Size: 12.75" L x 2.25" W (32.4 cm x 5.7 cm)

Provenance: ex-private St. Louis, Missouri, USA collection, acquired from Timeline Auctions; ex-East Anglia, England collection, acquired on the European art market in the 1990s

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#179323

  • Condition: Oxidation and patina to the iron. Pitting and losses to surface layers and chips along edge. Some light flaking when handled. Overall great condition for age and material.

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June 29, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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