Large Western Asiatic Bronze Rapier Blade
2nd-1st millennium B.C. Composed of a tanged and barbed blade with raised midrib to both faces. Cf. MacGregor, A., Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the collection of the Lord McAlpine of West Green, Ashmolean Museum, 1987, no.17.25 and 17.27, for the typology. 327 grams, 43.5 cm (17 1/8 in.).

Acquired 1980-2015.Ex Abelita family collection.

In the last ninety years, many such tanged blades have been considered to be coming from centres of production in Amlash and Marlik. Without context accurate dating is impossible, but the shape recalls the rapiers of the Bronze or Early Iron Age.