Iron Age Celtic La Tène Sword 3rd-2nd century BC An iron sword with wide double-edged blade, raised middle ridge to both sides and rounded tip, long tang and conical pommel with later antennae and guard. 522 grams, 75.5cm (29 3/4"). Fine condition. Provenance From a 1980s collection, acquired by the vendor’s family; thence by descent; accompanied by an academic report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato Literature See Pleiner, R., The Celtic sword, Oxford, 1993; Allen, S., Celtic Warrior 300 BC-AD 100, Oxford, 2001; for a similar specimen see a sword from Pottenbrunn in Fischer, T., Die Kelten in Donauraum und in den Ostalpen in vorrömischer Zeit, in Noricum Orbis Provinciarum Wien,1999, pp.6-14, p.8, fig.7. Footnotes The sword was the main weapon of the Celtic warrior, together with the spear. Diodorus tells us that the swords were worn by the Celts on their right side, hanging from a belt tied around the waist, and were not carried hanging from a baldric over the shoulder like the Greeks or the Etruscans had (V, 30, 3). He describes (V, 29 and 30) the fighting techniques of the Celts (combat chariot) and lists all the weapons used: shields as tall as a man which exhibit embossed figures of animals in rolled brass with both decorative and protective function; brass helmets with high crests, horns, or with figures of birds and quadrupeds to the top; iron ring mail armour; long swords hanging from the right side by means of iron and bronze chain; spears; javelins; war trumpets with hoarse sounds; gold or silver plated belts.
Iron Age Celtic La Tène Sword 3rd-2nd century BC An iron sword with wide double-edged blade, raised middle ridge to both sides and rounded tip, long tang and conical pommel with later antennae and guard. 522 grams, 75.5cm (29 3/4"). Fine condition. Provenance From a 1980s collection, acquired by the vendor’s family; thence by descent; accompanied by an academic report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato Literature See Pleiner, R., The Celtic sword, Oxford, 1993; Allen, S., Celtic Warrior 300 BC-AD 100, Oxford, 2001; for a similar specimen see a sword from Pottenbrunn in Fischer, T., Die Kelten in Donauraum und in den Ostalpen in vorrömischer Zeit, in Noricum Orbis Provinciarum Wien,1999, pp.6-14, p.8, fig.7. Footnotes The sword was the main weapon of the Celtic warrior, together with the spear. Diodorus tells us that the swords were worn by the Celts on their right side, hanging from a belt tied around the waist, and were not carried hanging from a baldric over the shoulder like the Greeks or the Etruscans had (V, 30, 3). He describes (V, 29 and 30) the fighting techniques of the Celts (combat chariot) and lists all the weapons used: shields as tall as a man which exhibit embossed figures of animals in rolled brass with both decorative and protective function; brass helmets with high crests, horns, or with figures of birds and quadrupeds to the top; iron ring mail armour; long swords hanging from the right side by means of iron and bronze chain; spears; javelins; war trumpets with hoarse sounds; gold or silver plated belts.
.jpg "Source: Timeline Auctions")
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
