Knives and Edged Weapons from the Rodney Alcock Collection Part 1
Dec 20 2025 · Lawrences Auctioneers
Lawrences Auctioneers present the sale of a collection assembled by Rodney Mandeville Alcock, the culmination of a lifetime dedicated to conservation, archaeology and curiosity.
Rodney’s expertise was forged through decades in the museum world. As a curator and archaeologist, he became known for highly specialised work, from the delicate lifting of Roman mosaics at Dewlish to creating vast archaeological cross sections for major museums. Combined with his extensive personal travel to historical Silk Roads countries like Iran, Afghanistan and China, he developed a unique eye for authenticity and context.
Starting as a schoolboy, Rodney found his true "sanctuary" in the local Haslemere Educational Museum, a fascination that evolved into a life long journey. His passion for other cultures was expanded by National Service in Cyprus and Africa, setting the stage for his future collections.
The collection is a direct testimony to his belief that objects tell a story.
The first sale of his collection, Knives and Edged Weapons, features tribal and cultural pieces such as the African Trombash throwing knife, a Persian Zirah Bouk armour piercing dagger, and a Janbiyya.
