Ca. 1200-700 BC. A bronze dagger with its beautifully-shaped blade tapering to a sharp point and the hilt masterfully crafted, curving inward from a splayed pommel to form concave, flanged sides to receive an inlay. A nearly circular crescent guard encloses the upper part of the midrib, overlapping the hilt and enhancing the blade's durability and strength. Bronze weaponry in the Bronze Age of Western Asia was a crucial element of warfare and social status. The mastery of bronze casting and the use of weapons in warfare and hunting was a significant factor in the rise and fall of many empires during this period. The Western Asiatic region was renowned for its impressive bronze weapons, which were frequently adorned with intricate designs and motifs, as is exemplified by this magnificent dagger. For a similar, see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Accession Number: 61.261.5.Size: L:315mm / W:40mm ; 145gProvenance: Property of a North London gentleman; previously acquire on the UK/European art market in the 1990s.