11th-8th century BC. A long bronze tanged dagger with prominent bilobate guard, extending out from the ricasso, the tang once covered by an organic hilt; the thick midrib extending slightly above the ricasso, tapering towards a rounded point. See Malekzadeh, M., Hasanpur, A., Hashemi, Z., 'Fouilles (2005-2006) a Sangtarashan, Luristan, Iran' in Iranica Antiqua, vol.LII, 2017, pp.61-155, fig.29, pl.28, no.80. 313 grams, 44.5cm (17 1/2"). Property of an Essex gentleman; acquired on the UK art market; previously from an old English collection formed in the 1980s. Our specimen belongs to a type D dagger, equipped with a tongued grip. These weapons were probably endowed with organic hilts that are no longer present. The tang was inserted into the handle with a hole (type D1), or bipartite (type D2"). The blade, as in our case, was often tripartite. [No Reserve] Condition Report Fair condition.