Lot 550

European Urnfield Bronze Carp's Tongue Short Sword

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Lot 550
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European Urnfield Bronze Carp's Tongue Short Sword
European Urnfield Bronze Carp's Tongue Short Sword
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European Urnfield Bronze Carp's Tongue Short Sword

Estimate: $3,600 - $5,400

Starting Bid: $1,800

(0 Bids)
June 12, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
Louisville, CO, US
Description:

Western Europe, Urnfield Culture, Late Bronze Age., ca. 1200 - 800 BCE. Sleek and authoritative, this cast bronze short sword displays the classic carp’s tongue profile - a long, tapering blade with a pronounced midrib flanked by crisp, parallel fullers that run toward the acute tip - all enlivened by a deep sea-green patina. Cast in a two-part mold and then cold-worked to refine the edges, the weapon features gently flared shoulders with small rivet bosses and an integrally cast, ring-molded grip terminating in an arched terminal, the overall silhouette engineered for both thrusting and precise slashing. Such blades were prized across Atlantic and Continental Europe during the late 2nd to early 1st millennium BCE, likely borne by warrior élites and occasionally deposited in ritual hoards. Size: 22.75" W x 1.25" H x 3" D (57.8 cm W x 3.2 cm H x 7.6 cm D)

This piece has been tested for the presence or absence of particular elements via XRF elemental analysis and is consistent with metals of this period.

Provenance: private London, United Kingdom collection acquired on the European art market in the 1990's.

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Item # 202513

  • Condition: Tiny tip of pommel is missing, but almost unnoticeable. Else choice.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $749 $25
$750 $1,499 $50
$1,500 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $14,999 $500
$15,000 + $1,000