SOLD Ancient 5th - 4th century B.C. Scythian Bronze Short Sword Akinakes
SOLD Authentic ancient 5th - 4th century B.C. Eastern Scythian bronze short sword – dagger "Akinakes, Acinaces” antennae type II .Comprising of a pointed beveled blade the flattened handle with ribbed grip rectangular in outline with pommel design with two adjoining circles symbolizing the beaks of two birds, the guard decorated with motive of stylized two birds heads facing the sides, with eyes and beak well demarcated. Mold marks are visible along the one side of the top part of the hilt, indicating that the sword was cast in a two pieces mold. Acquire in 1927. The blade of the sword is bearing the collection stock markings painted CH for China and 27 year of acquisition 1927.
A Scythians bronze Akinakes are extremely rare compared to the iron Akinakes rarely appear for sale for sale and they are hardly ever seen in museums including Russia museums. After a longtime searching for related bronze Akinakes in references as professional academic literature and internet, we were able to fund only a few know examples, including one example which is very similar to our sword, this particular example published in the book: Ancient bronzes of the eastern Eurasian steppes from the Arthur M. Sackler collections by Emma C. Bunker. Page 203 -204 NO 140 (Formerly from the collection of Colonel William Mayer). The picture is attached to the listing.
MEASUREMENTS: The overall length: 28.6 cm (11 1/4 in).
CONDITION: In its original condition, showing the age and usage, with a dark brown patina.
Bronze Akinakes swords with zoomorphic ornament are associated with eastern scythes and has been fund in archeological sites in eastern and south eastern Russia: Yadrinsky Kazan Province Russia. Yadrinsky, Krasnoyarsk Russia. South Siberia Altay region Russia. Almaty Kazakhstan. Kumurtuk culture, Altay region Russia. Pazyryk culture sites in the Altai regions of South Siberia, Russia. Ordos culture in Inner Mongolia, China. Tagar culture South Siberia Russia
REFERENCES:
1. Ancient bronzes of the eastern Eurasian steppes from the Arthur M. Sackler collections by Emma C. Bunker. Page 203 -204 NO 140.
2 .Weapons of the Ancient East by) M.V.Gorelik. Page 178.No.3.Page: 207-208.
3. Ordos Daggers by S.C. Tang. Dagger No.2 Page: 52.
4. Waffe und Rüstung Eurasiens Frühzeit und Antike by Ortwin Gamber. Page: 224.Abb.226.
5. Links cultures of Western Siberia and the Urals to the cultures of the Middle Volga in the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age. The West Siberian archeology. Novosibirsk. 1981. By (Членова Н. Л) Chlenova NL.
Please see the link below: Drawings Plate .4. No 9-17.
http://arheologija.ru/chlenova-svyazi-kultur-zapadnoy-sibiri-s-kulturami-priuralya-i-srednego-povolzhya-v-kontse-epohi-bronzyi-i-v-nachale-zheleznogo-veka/
The Scythian were a nomadic Indo-European people, of Eastern European origin occupying a geological band from the Eastern Europe through to the grasslands above China, shared a common Artistic, Cultural, & economic base. This 'Scythian' art & material influenced the ancient Chinese art.
Please see the Scythian s Genetics.
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scythians
Link to sites with similar swords: http://z8.invisionfree.com/Bronze_Age_Center/index.php?showtopic=997
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/437271445047482963/
http://vk.com/wall-36850439?offset=960&own=1&w=wall-36850439_10610
http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=262691&partId=1&images=true&fromDate=2000&from=bc&toDate=200&to=ad&page=65
http://arheologija.ru/chlenova-svyazi-kultur-zapadnoy-sibiri-s-kulturami-priuralya-i-srednego-povolzhya-v-kontse-epohi-bronzyi-i-v-nachale-zheleznogo-veka/
http://www.jiten.info/dic/asia/acinaces.html
Scythians Cultures Links:
Tagar Culture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagar_culture
http://arheologija.ru/chlenova-svyazi-kultur-zapadnoy-sibiri-s-kulturami-priuralya-i-srednego-povolzhya-v-kontse-epohi-bronzyi-i-v-nachale-zheleznogo-veka/
Pazyryk Culture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pazyryk_culture
