Two short swords Vietnam, Đông Sơn culture, 3°-1°... Lot 35

Two short swords Vietnam, Đông Sơn culture, 3°-1° century BCE, Bronze with archaeological patina, L. 34 - 32.2 cm These two short swords constitute, along with those with anthropomorphic handles, the three forms specific to the Đông Sơn culture. Those of type 1 (classification according to Louis Bezacier) are provided with a handle that accuses a slight projection on the blade, has the guard that ends on each side by a slight winding forming a small loop. The fuse has a bi-concave profile and affects the shape of a rounded lens. The pommel protrudes slightly and the blade is flat. Less common than the previous ones, those of type 3 are distinguished by the shape of their hollow handle, of concave profile ending in a rounded pear shape and a small sleeve. Some have a handle pierced with small slits (such as those discovered at Sơn Tây or Việt Khê). Olav Janse suggests that beads could have been placed in the hollow of the handle and considers it a "rattle-dagger" or ritual dagger. The Cernuschi Museum preserves an example similar to ours, discovered at Đông Sơn (O. Janse excavation, 1934-1935, excavation11). (restoration)