A SASSANIAN IRON SWORD WITH SILVER HILT AND SCABBARD

CIRCA 6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.

Details

A SASSANIAN IRON SWORD WITH SILVER HILT AND SCABBARD
circa 6th-7th century a.d.
Preserving part of the original iron blade, the now-lost wood scabbard and handle covered with silver foil ornamented with an all-over feather pattern, the scabbard with two distinctive P-shaped mounts, the backs of each with a small angular loop riveted in place for suspension from belt straps
35 in. (88.9 cm) long

Lot Essay

For a short sword with similar silver mounts compare no. 28a in Harper, The Royal Hunter, Art of the Sasanian Empire. The feather pattern on these swords, according to Harper (op. cit., p. 83), is thought to be symbolic of the Varagn bird, one of the forms of Verethragna, the Zoroastrian god of victory.

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