Rowel-hilt knife

Rowel-hilt knife

2015.2.3

Ancient & Classical

An elaborate geometrically-decorated knife; it has a complex openwork pommel in the shape of a wheel, with five spokes projecting out of a ring-shaped piece of metal with bands of striations; the central section of the pommel bears another striated cell with turquoise inlay in the center; the hilt of the knife is hollow, with a slot possibly for wrapping leather or fabric; the hilt is also decorated with a geometric pattern, including a zig-zag at the end nearest the pommel, and a pattern of incised parallel diagonal lines surrounding the central slot; there is a transverse ridge separating the hilt from the blade, which projects on the lower (cutting) edge of the knife.

Bronze

Bronze, turquoise inlay

12 3/8" L x 1 7/8" W x 1" D

1300-1100 BCE