Parthian Dagger with Cross Guard. 1st-2nd century A.D. An iron double-edged dagger, triangular blade tapering to the sharp tip, quillons and hilt made of iron as well, fastening nail to the organic hilt. Cf. Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, items 56-57-58, specimens in the National Museum of Iran, Tehran. 205 grams, 39 cm (15 3/8 in.) UK private collection before 2000. UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. This dagger has clear parallel with specimens excavated in Gilan by a joint Iranian and Japanese expedition in 1960 A.D. It is interesting to note that the Parthian daggers and swords had quillons, and probably influenced the further development of the Roman spathae during the Late Empire. According to Pliny the elder the best steel was made by the Seres and then by the Parthians. [No Reserve]