Lot 43A
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. A handsome cast steel short dagger, known as a pugio with an ornate bronze and steel scabbard. The pugio has a short handle, a round pommel and midsection with two small nodules, and a wide flat guard. The broad blade tapers to a point, with a midrib that runs down the center to the tip. The steel scabbard mirrors the shape of the blade, but with a central bronze inlay and incised lines adorning the edges. Eight rivets secure the bronze inlay to the scabbard, and the tip is capped by a bulbous terminal with a central rivet and smaller encircling nobs and etched lines. The verso side of the scabbard is unadorned. Pugios were a sidearm for Roman soldiers to use in close combat for stabbing their opponent. Of course, the ornate sheath also let others know the elite status or wealth of the soldier when hanging at his side! Total size: 13.125" L x 2.25" W (33.3 cm x 5.7 cm); size of sheath: 8.75" L (22.2 cm)
Pugios were not only a soldier's weapon, but senators and even emporors carried these small daggers concealed in their clothing for protection or to carry out dasterdly deeds. Perhaps most infamously the Ides of March 44 BCE assasination of Juius Caesar was carried out with pugio blades. Pugio comes from the word for fist or boxer, indicating this dagger was ideal for stabbing rather than slicing.
Provenance: ex-Estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA acquired before 2000
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#158880
- Condition: Surface wear, abrasions, chips and nicks to blade. Fissures with radiating lines on pommel. Surface wear and abrasions to scabbard. Rich patina and the blade still fits in the scabbard!
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |