Implement: Ritual implement with reptilian head

Implement: Ritual implement with reptilian head

2015.2.9

Ancient & Classical

A slightly curved blade-like ritual implement, sometimes referred to as a bi; it has a rounded blade tip, two curled metal pieces forming the guard where the blade and hilt connect, and a reptilian-head ornament capping the end of the hilt; the hilt itself is ornamented with an openwork geometric pattern, originally inlaid with turquoise, and with several small pieces of the turquoise remaining; there is a movable tab-like piece of metal attached within the two halves of the reptilian head.

Bronze

Bronze, turquoise inlay

12 1/4" L x 1 1/4" W

1300-1100 BCE