3rd-4th century A.D. A knifeposed of an iron blade with one curved cutting edge, a round-section collared handle terminating with the head of the goddess Minerva, modelled in the round with semi-naturalistic detailing to the face, wearing a diadem and crested helmet. Cf. similar to a knife with helmetted finial in Alexandrova, S. & Dermendzhiev, E., 'Three iron knives from the Early Byzantine Fortress on the Hill Devingrad in Veliko Turnovo' (in Bulgarian) in Yotov, V. (ed.), Acta Musei Varnensis I, Weapons and Military Equipment during the Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, 4th-15th centuries, Varna 14-16 September 2000, Varna, 2002, pp.59-62, fig.1. 130 grams, 27 cm (10 1/2 in."). European private collection, 1970-1980s. London, UK, late 1990s. This well known typology of Roman military knives (culter)prises a bronze shaft usually with a head of a warrior or military divinity wearing a helmet. This type was used over a long period: three knives discovered in Bulgaria have been dated back to 5th-7th centuries A.D. on the basis of excavation works in the fortress of Devingrad. [No Reserve]Condition Report: Fine condition.