An ancient Iberian bronze and iron sheath for a dagger and belt buckle hardware. The heavily incised and openwork bronze elements of the sheath and belt are riveted to underlying iron.
Ca. 2nd – 1st century BC.
The Iberic short sword or Gladius Hispaniensis was adapted by the Romans as early as the second century BC, and was the direct predecessor of both the Mainz-Type Gladius Romanus and the shortened, broad bladed Pugio dagger.
Formerly in the collection of Axel Guttmann, Berlin, inv. no. R 350, (1944 – 2001).
$5,000