Object Title

Sword

Sword

Date

8th-9th century

Object Number

IX.1427

Provenance

Purchased at Christies, 9 April 1975, Lot 67 (illustrated, plate 6)

Physical Description

Of iron, in excavated condition. Pommel of two pieces, the upper of flattened thomboid form, the lower a horizontal boat-shaped plate. The upper section is decorated with an interlace pattern in brass inlay, and the lower has vertical grooves originally filled with brass. Short tang, and guard formed of a second, larger boat-shaped plate. The latter is also grooved for brass inlays, one of which remains. Straight, two-edged blade, pattern welded and inlaid in iron on one face with a figure of eight mark.

Dimensions

Dimensions: Overall length: 890 mm, Length of blade: 769 mm Weight: 725 g

Inscriptions and Marks

see above

Associations

Places Europe

Bibliographic References

Dorling Kindersley, Weapon. A visual history of arms & armour, Dorling Kindersley Ltd, London, 2006, pp. 54-5 (col. illus', top of p. 54).

Notes

When purchased the sword had been cleaned bright and lacquered. The lacquer was removed and the surface blued. cf. J. Petersen, 'De Norske Vikingesverd' type I.