Bronze Age Sword

Circa 800-900 BC

Cast, hammered and incised bronze

Length: 71 cm

Provenance

Recovered from the River Saône, near Lyon

Collection of Monsieur F. B. (1950-2009), Normandy, France

Subsequently French art market 2021 and exported under French Cultural Property Passport 233626

An exceptionally well-preserved Late Bronze Age Atlantic sword of the Saint- Nazaire type featuring finely incised decoration and an expertly cast leaf-shaped blade. Its provenance and golden patina hint to centuries of burial in a riverbed, where it was likely cast as a dedication to the gods.

£55,000