Khmer Bronze and Iron Sword

Southeast Asia, Cambodia, Khmer Empire, ca. 12th to 13th century CE. A short form of Khmer sword, known as a p'keak or phka’k, with a cylindrical bronze handle and a triangular iron blade. They may have been used for clearing the dense forests of northern Cambodia as well as for fighting. From the Angkor period onward (after 800 CE), it seems likely that southeast Asia underwent a great deal of conflict; inscriptions, reliefs, weapons deposited as grave goods, and, most recently, bioarchaeology all attest to a history of fighting and war. This sword is almost certainly related to that history. For example, excavations at the cemetery at Phum Snay have uncovered a wide range of weapons in many graves; while most were male, some belonged to females. Size: 21.25" L (54 cm)

Provenance: ex-estate of John Piscopo, San Diego, California, USA, 1990's or earlier. Mr. Piscopo was one of the largest collectors of ancient weapons in the US with a collection that spanned all cultures, all ages.

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#111005 Dimensions: Condition Report: Missing bronze end-cap. The blade is heavily oxidized, as expected for an iron item of its age, but overall form is well preserved.