A Western European hilt sword made of bronze, Urnfield Culture (Hallstatt A period), 11th - 10th century B.C. The grip tang sword in typical Western European design. The tang is blunt at the top, extending down into a triangular plate after approx. 3 cm. The plate has two rivet holes or notches (based on the earlier grip plate swords) and flares out where it joins the blade. It cannot be said with any certainty whether the slots for the rivets on the edge were closed due to minimal chipping along the edge. Either case is possible. From there, the laurel-shaped blade extends with almost parallel cutting edges in the upper and middle section. The narrow chamfers are clearly offset from the slightly domed central part. Minor notches along the cutting edges. Otherwise, excellently preserved sword of the late Bronze Age with an attractive "river patina", which allows the metallic background to shimmer through. Length 56.7 cm. Provenance: From an old Belgian private collection, acquired in the Belgian art trade in the 80s. Condition: II -