A Very Elegant and Elaborate Bronze Sword, from the 1st Millennium B.C.E.
Further images
Provenance
The Private Collection of the Baidun Family
Mahmoud Baidun (1920-1980) founded what would become Khader M Badiun and Sons Galleries in Jerusalem, Isreal. As a young boy, Mahmoud would accompany archeologists, biblical scholars, and visiting delegations on excavation sites all over Jerusalem and other sites within the country. Earning the trust of scholars and archeologists alike, Mahmoud became an indispensable presence and guide to other visiting scholars. When Mr. Baidun entered the antiquities trade, he would be granted trade license under the British Mandate and from the Hashemite Kingdom. When Israel authorized the trade of antiquities, Mahmoud was issued one of the first antiquities licenses issued in the country. He would later forge close relationships with other merchants; slowly building a massive private collection that would go on to sell to political leaders, international museums, and private collectors globally.
This sword has a long and wide triangular tapering blade, and is decorated with multiple incised lines to both sides of the high central ridge. The guard separating the blade and grip is decorated with small squares forming a âTâ shape. The grip is particularly ornate, decorated with a geometric pattern. The skin has a wonderful and natural green patina. This is indeed, a very elegant and richly decorated sword.
From the design of this weapon, with such as a very wide and short blade, indicates that it was used in close range combat, to pierce the enemy's body armor.