Beschreibung:

BRONZE AGE BRONZE SOCKETTED CURVED KNIFE Late Bronze Age,1200-800 BC A cast bronze double-edged knife with square-section expanding socket and curved, round-ended blade; the socket with thickened collar to the mouth; the blade emerging from the rear of the socket, chamfered on both faces to the outer edges; supplied with custom-made display stand. 106 grams total, 17 cm including stand (6 1/2"). Fine condition; edge slightly nicked. Very rare. Provenance Ex Michael Nellist collection; acquired from Paul Murawski; found Grimsby, Humberside, 2007; recorded Portable Antiquities Scheme (reference CORN-87C1E1, with record extract). Literature See similar examples in Evans, J. Ancient Bronze Implements, pp. 209-10 and O' Connor, B. Ulster Journal of Archaeology, 1956, p.178. Footnotes Most surviving curved blade implements from the British Bronze Age have the blade springing from the centre of the socket such that the implement could have been straight or curve bladed at choice. This example has the blade offset to one side of the socket (a more complex mould being needed) and, although undoubtedly cast with the blade straight, appears to always have intended to have the blade curved for use. The Mike Nellist Collection. His interest in antiquity was piqued when, during the 1970s, he spent some time working in Israel and had the opportunity to visit Roman-period locations including Lake Galilee and Masada, the site of the famous Judaean revolt and subsequent massacre. He made his first purchases at that time and was soon building an enviable collection of artefacts. While studying at university, he was able to study human remains at first hand in conjunction with archaeological research and from there his passion for the human aspects of historical research was kindled. Now retired, Mike indulges one of his other passions – wildlife and nature photography