FINE ROMAN IRON CENTURION-TYPE PUGIO WITH OPENWORK SCABBARD

Ca. AD 1 - 300. An iron centurion-type pugio with a broad double-edged blade tapering to a sharp point and a pronounced central ridge. A rectangular guard separates the blade from the straight grip, which terminates in an openwork pommel of opposed inward-curving volutes. The openwork scabbard is composed of two longitudinal bars joined by broad transverse bands and fitted with four rings. Its lower section narrows to converging arms terminating in a rounded knop. Restored. For similar see: F. Casprini, M. Saliola, Pugio - Gladius Brevi Est, pp. 7-12 Size: 400mm x 60mm; Weight: 660g Provenance: Private London collection; formerly in Austrian private collection 1980s-early 1990s This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.