MIGRATION PERIOD, CIRCA 5TH-EARLY 6TH CENTURY A.D.

The opulent handle and scabbard presented here are formed of gold sheet and gemstones, which originally would have covered a wood core (now disintegrated and replaced with modern materials). The grip is molded with 8 horizontal ribs along its length and with a flat-topped, beveled carnelian as the pommel. The scabbard sheet is adorned with punched wave and cross patterns alternating along its length on the front and zig-zag on the back. There are two rectangular flanges set to each side of the scabbard's upper edge, where originally the scabbard mouthpiece accepted the blade. On the proper left side, there is an additional curving projection. The upper elements are set with six garnet and one carnelian cabochons with beaded-wire settings.

Based on the materials used here, it is likely that the dagger would have been originally intended for a warrior of high status and possibly even used as a parade armament. For another gold and inlaid-garnet sheathed dagger excavated from a prince’s tomb in the necropolis of Brut, North Ossetia, from the 5th century A.D. see pp. 282-283 in J.-J. Aillagon, ed., Rome and the Barbarians: the Birth of a New World. The Brut dagger features similar square flanges bejeweled with stones at the upper edge of the scabbard, which was originally suspended by two buckles from the warrior's belt. In contrast, the present example might have used the curving projection for suspension, which originally faced downward. For a similar ribbed hilt from the 5^th century A.D., which is typically found on longswords worn by barbarian allies of the eastern Roman empire, see p. 154 in B. Anke, et al., Attila und die Hunnen.