Lot 163
163
A RARE CYPRIOT BLACK-TOPPED RED POLISHED WARE KNIFE AND SHEATH
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more
A RARE CYPRIOT BLACK-TOPPED RED POLISHED WARE KNIFE AND SHEATH

EARLY BRONZE AGE, CIRCA 2300-2000 B.C.

Details
A RARE CYPRIOT BLACK-TOPPED RED POLISHED WARE KNIFE AND SHEATH
EARLY BRONZE AGE, CIRCA 2300-2000 B.C.
The knife with triangular blade and central mid-rib, the mid-rib broadens towards the base and extends into the triangular-shaped handle, the handle with two projecting side guards at base, decorated with bands of incised hatches, chevrons and diamond motifs with white infill, pierced for attachment, repaired; the sheath of tapered ovoid form, with similar white incised decoration of diamonds and chevrons with stippled and hatched infill, a raised cross-band encircles the sheath, repaired
8¼ in. (21 cm.) long av. (2)
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

PUBLISHED:
The Art of Ancient Cyprus, pp. 256 and 262, pl. 286.

It has been suggested that these sheath-knives were made as substitutes for bronze blades for use as tomb offerings. Cf. V. Tatton-Brown, Ancient Cyprus, London, 1987, pp. 18-19, pl. 14, for a close parallel in the British Museum and Cypriot Antiquities in Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham, 1981, pp. 24-25 for parallels from the Vounous Group, circa 2500-2000 B.C.

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