881 - Four bronze sword blades from the Early Iron Age in the Near East, all ground at the upper end, circa 1000 B.C.

Four bronze sword blades from the Early Iron Age in the Near East, all ground at the upper end, circa 1000 B.C. 1-2) Two long, narrow blades that taper continuously toward the tip. In the middle, a wide, flat spine that extends almost to the tip. Both have been ground down at the upper end in modern times; one still bears remnants of a hilt that was once attached using the overmolded casting technique. Both feature a green patina and incrustations. Lengths: 55 cm and 61.2 cm. 3) A long and narrow blade that tapers continuously toward the tip. At the upper end, the blade widens into a trapezoidal tip featuring two raised points at the top that flank the tang. The tang has been modernly ground down at the end and along the sides. In the upper half, there is a wide, flat central ridge that transitions in the lower half to a narrow, rounded central ridge—distinctly set apart from the blade—which continues all the way to the tip. Green patina; on one side, the cutting edge has also been lightly ground down to remove the patina. Length: 45 cm. 4) A blade that is wide at the top and triangular in shape, with straight sides that taper continuously toward the tip. Slightly indented inward toward the handle toward the upper end. In the middle of the lower half, a triple-ribbed spine that widens in the upper half—where the central rib splits—to form a quadruple-ribbed spine. Dark green patina, partially revealing the gold-colored base. Oxide deposits on one side. Modernly ground at the upper end. Length 42 cm. CULTURAL HERITAGE! Provenance: From the Axel Guttmann Collection, acquired in the 1980s and 1990s on the German art market. Condition: III +