Moshe Dayan's eye patch on sale

Dayan's eye patch drew him comparisons with Nelson

An eye patch worn by Israeli military leader and politician Moshe Dayan has gone on sale for $75,000 (£43,100) on the internet website eBay.

The black eye patch is said to have been given to Dayan's bodyguard minutes after he died in 1981.

Born in 1915, in what was then still Palestine, Dayan lost his eye serving alongside the Allies in World War II.

He later served as chief of staff in the 1956 campaign against Egypt, and then as defence and foreign minister.

Along with the eye patch, Israeli art dealers Pasarel are selling a Smith & Wesson revolver given to Dayan by the company and engraved with his signature.

'Israel's Nelson'

Dayan is said to have left all of his personal belongings to his bodyguard, who only took the two items offered for sale.

Pasarel owner Moti Sender said he had received a lot of international interest in the eye patch.

"It's just a curiosity, really, but I suppose it is an icon, a symbol of the man," he told the BBC News website.

"To us, Dayan is like Admiral Nelson is to the British. It's as if we were selling Nelson's hat."

Only the eye patch is being offered for sale on eBay, as guns cannot be sold through the website.

One offer of $58,000 was reported for the patch.