Ancient Roman, Empire Iron Gladius Type Mainz - 71 cm
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Estimate € 5,000 - € 6,500
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Ancient Roman Mainz-type iron gladius, 71 cm overall with a 53 cm blade, 6 cm maximum blade width and an 18 cm tang, dating to the 1st century AD, in very good condition with complete tang and provenance from Belgium via a private collection, authentic/original.
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Description from the seller
Roman Gladius – Mainz type – Iron – early Roman Imperial period
Sale only within the EU!!!
An impressive iron short sword blade, typologically assignable to the Roman gladius of the Mainz type.
The blade features the broad form characteristic of early gladii with a slight concavity in the upper blade region and a long, stretched point. Particularly well-preserved is the complete, long tang for accepting the handle, which originally consisted of organic material.
The surface shows an pronounced, age-related corrosion pattern with numerous indentations and irregularities. The blade has been cleaned and conserved in the past. Despite its age, the overall form is very well readable.
Dimensions: total length including tang approx. 71 cm; blade length approx. 53 cm; tang approx. 18 cm; maximum blade width approx. 6 cm; weight approx. 547 g.
Typological classification: Gladius, Mainz type or early Roman gladius form. Comparable swords were used especially during the late Republic and early Imperial period. The long, stretched point and the broad, slightly waisted blade are characteristic features of this early gladius group.
Condition: archaeological preservation state. Corrosion, material losses and age-related surface changes present. Tang fully preserved. Please examine all photos carefully; they are part of the description.
Provenance: Acquired by a Belgian former owner in 2011 at the Killesberg arms fair in Stuttgart. Since 2018 in my private collection. The purchase invoice from that time is no longer available.
An interesting collectible for a collection of Roman militaria and ancient weapons.
The constructive construction and the extraordinarily good preservation of this feared Roman close-quarters weapon have close parallels with spath blade types from mass finds of imperial weaponry, among others in the Danish moors of Nydam and Illerup-Ådal. The Mainz type is typologically based on the older Gladius Hispaniensis and is overall somewhat longer, with the tang area extended into a sharply pointed triangular shape.
The sale is only within the EU!!!! Please pay attention to the bid. EU only!!!
Roman Gladius – Mainz type – Iron – early Roman Imperial period
Sale only within the EU!!!
An impressive iron short sword blade, typologically assignable to the Roman gladius of the Mainz type.
The blade features the broad form characteristic of early gladii with a slight concavity in the upper blade region and a long, stretched point. Particularly well-preserved is the complete, long tang for accepting the handle, which originally consisted of organic material.
The surface shows an pronounced, age-related corrosion pattern with numerous indentations and irregularities. The blade has been cleaned and conserved in the past. Despite its age, the overall form is very well readable.
Dimensions: total length including tang approx. 71 cm; blade length approx. 53 cm; tang approx. 18 cm; maximum blade width approx. 6 cm; weight approx. 547 g.
Typological classification: Gladius, Mainz type or early Roman gladius form. Comparable swords were used especially during the late Republic and early Imperial period. The long, stretched point and the broad, slightly waisted blade are characteristic features of this early gladius group.
Condition: archaeological preservation state. Corrosion, material losses and age-related surface changes present. Tang fully preserved. Please examine all photos carefully; they are part of the description.
Provenance: Acquired by a Belgian former owner in 2011 at the Killesberg arms fair in Stuttgart. Since 2018 in my private collection. The purchase invoice from that time is no longer available.
An interesting collectible for a collection of Roman militaria and ancient weapons.
The constructive construction and the extraordinarily good preservation of this feared Roman close-quarters weapon have close parallels with spath blade types from mass finds of imperial weaponry, among others in the Danish moors of Nydam and Illerup-Ådal. The Mainz type is typologically based on the older Gladius Hispaniensis and is overall somewhat longer, with the tang area extended into a sharply pointed triangular shape.
The sale is only within the EU!!!! Please pay attention to the bid. EU only!!!
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman, Empire
Century/timeframe
1. Jhr.n.Chr
Name of object
Gladius Type Mainz
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2018
Material
Iron
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Very good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
71 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
2011
Width
6 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
Depth
0 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
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The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
