Lot 69D
Western Asia and Siberia, Scythian culture, ca. late 2nd to early 1st millennium BCE. A lengthy cast-bronze akinakes (or acinaces) dagger with a pronounced midrib, a trapezoidal pommel with twin perforated loops, and a slender tang displaying a pair of vertical grooves on each side. The integral guard rests above the upper portion of the blade, with each quillon portraying a recognizable avian head, perhaps modeled after a falcon, with large eyes, ovoid heads, and aquiline beaks. The slender blade widens slightly just underneath the guard and tapers gently to a smooth point. A colorful patina emanates a palette of russet, emerald, and espresso hues, with miniscule areas of the original golden bronze peeking through. An exceptional example illustrating zoomorphic imagery and masterful craftsmanship! Comes with museum-quality display stand. Size: 10.125" H (25.7 cm); 10.425" H (26.5 cm) on included custom stand.
Much of what we know of this culture comes from the incredibly rich burials of elite Scythians. Burial structures during this time were ovoid or rectangular pits, sometimes with wooden structures and, in the region of the North Black Sea, catacombs. Packed inside these tombs were a profusion of rich items, including an array of bronze weapons like this one. For example, the Ukrainian tomb of a female Scythian warrior who died in combat - with a battle axe through the skull and a bronze arrowhead in her leg - contained a massive armored belt, a quiver with twenty bronze arrows with painted shafts, glass beads, pearls, silver and bronze bracelets, a bronze mirror, a tray filled with food for the afterlife, and a few finely-crafted bladed weapons similar to this example.
Provenance: private Andrade collection New York, New York, USA, acquired 1960s; ex-Knoedler & Company, New York, New York, USA
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#131180
- Condition: Expected age-commensurate surface wear, very slight bending to overall form, small nicks and minor roughness to blade edges and tip, otherwise intact and near choice. Light earthen deposits within recessed areas, with nice mineral deposits and beautiful patina throughout. An old inventory sticker rests inside one side of pommel.
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