CIRCA 5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.

This elegant sword preserves its long tapering iron blade, which is set into an ornate handle. Constructed from bronze, the grip is studded with a gold-collared oval garnet set on both sides into the peaked pommel. Below on the shaft appears a punched cross motif and an inset incised gold band with three circular garnet inlays. The embossed gold foil hilt is fronted by an ornate green and red glass inlaid square motif, centered by an oval cabochon. Below remains the bronze scabbard mouth, adorned with a narrower silver band fastened by 2 silver rivets at the back, with preserved traces of the original wood. The silver chape has a punched pattern and gold edging. For another jewel-encrusted handle element on a Merovingian sword, see, no. 12a in Menghin, Springer and Wamers, Germanen, Hunnen und Awaren, Schätze der Völkerwanderungszeit.

This sword was owned by Adolphe Stoclet, the renowned Belgian art collector, and published in the 1956 book on his collection. Together with his wife Suzanne, they built the Palais Stoclet in Brussels, which was designed by Josef Hoffmann and adorned by Gustav Klimt with a series of mosaic murals in its dining room. The opulent home featured their eclectic art collection, including ancient Mediterranean, Asian, medieval and pre-Columbian art.