ANTENNAE SWORD
Protohistory
ANTENNAE SWORD
Iron, silver and copper.
Maximum length preserved: 16.5 cm. Maximum width: 5.8 cm. Maximum thickness at hilt: 3 cm.
Protohistory. 4th century B.C.
Origin
Necropolis in Mesas de Asta. Jerez de la Frontera. Cádiz.
Description
“Alcaçer do Sal" type sword, of which only the hilt and start of the blade remain. The blade has a pronounced central nervure and is inserted into the hilt by means of an iron rod. The eight-sided hilt is thicker in the middle. It is topped off with two antennae decorated with discoidal buttons each with bands of inlaid copper. It is decorated with geometric motifs - double spirals in 'S' shape and meanders in nielloed silver. This appears fused by fire, forming small cabochons. This seems to suggest that it was located next to the body on the funeral pyre. Its features suggest that it was from a southern Celtic workshop.
Bibliography
- González, R.; Barrionuevo, F. y Aguilar, L. (1997): “Notas sobre el mundo funerario en la Baja Andalucía durante el periodo Turdetano”. Huelva Arqueológica XIV, pp. 254 and 268.
