Western Asiatic Bronze Dagger with Stone Pommel
3rd millenium B.C. Comprising a leaf-shaped blade with broad midrib to both faces, square-section tang and pommel with discoid bronze top displaying a stylised floral or geometric motif with parallel pairs of lines radiating from the centre and a pellet in each segment. See Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg (2003), pl.IV, no.16, for similar.693 grams, 42 cm (16 1/2 in.). Ex old English collection. Acquired from Timeline Originals, UK, 2015. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.Accompanied by a copy of the purchase invoice and certificate of authenticity. This type of daggers include lanceolate blades with a pronounced piercing and cutting function, often reinforced with a convex stiffening rib or fullers that follow the contour of the blade (Gorelik, 2003, pls. IV, 15-21, 23-25). It is commonly believed that the fullers were designed to drain blood, but this is a misconception; their purpose is to increase the strength of the blade and reduce its weight.