MID-9TH/LATE 10TH CENTURY

Details

A VIKING SWORD
mid-9th/late 10th Century
In excavated condition (lightly chemically cleaned), with broad tapering pattern-welded blade, double-edged, one face cut with a broad three-quarter length fuller, the reverse face flat and with shallow traces of incisions for a bold encircled cross device ahead of a short fuller below the hilt, the device previously inlaid in soft iron, drooping crosspiece with bevelled sides tapering to small nodular terminals and punched with a row of small circles on one face, and cocked-hat pommel of characteristic two-piece construction, the upper portion of flattened triangular section with nodular base, shouldered point and punched and engraved patterned bands intended for inlay.
28¼in (71.8cm) blade

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The hilt classification is Petersen type L. See Jan Petersen, De Norske Vikingesverd, Oslo, 1919.

Also see H.R. Ellis Davidson, The sword in Anglo-Saxon England, Oxford, 1962, pp. 69-71.

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