Bronze dagger blade with a gold hilt band

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This bronze dagger blade with a gold hilt band was found in a grave under a cairn at Blackwaterfoot in Arran. It is a locally made copy of a prestigious and fashionable object from southern England. The dagger dates from between 1750 and 1450 BC.

The dagger has three ribs, and two large rivets still in place where it attached to its handle. The edges are damaged, and the surfaces badly corroded. Part of the mounting of the handle, made of Scottish gold, survives in two pieces.

Certain styles of prestige object, such as this dagger, were fashionable in Wessex in southern England. These fashions spread northwards and were adopted by the elite in Scotland, who had copies made in local materials.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-035-808-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.EQ 268
• Date: Between 1750 and 1450 BC
  
• Material: Bronze; three-ribbed; with two large rivets in place and part of the gold mounting of the handle
  Dagger
  
• Dimensions: 9.00" x 2.50"
  
• What: Dagger
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Bute, Arran, Kilmory, Blackwaterfoot
  
• Event:
• Description: Three-ribbed bronze dagger with two large rivets in place and part of the gold mounting of the handle, from a cairn at Blackwaterfoot, Arran
  
• References:
  • Clarke, D.V., Cowie, T.G., & Foxon, Andrew (eds). Symbols of power at the time of Stonehenge. Edinburgh: National Museums of Antiquities of Scotland, 1985, pp 284-5. 
• Translations:
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