Viking Sword w/Cast Hemispherical Pommel

[Jack Loomes]

Editor's Note: The combination of an (unfullered?) lenticular blade and the unusual (for the West) hemispherical pommel, may indicate a Byzantine influence or manufacture of this blade. A hallmark of Varangian weapons is the combination of Norse and Roman design elements. The Type R (spherical) pommel and its variants are signatures of Roman Swords even well into the 15th Century A.D. See the feature thread on Byzantine Swords on this site for examples: sword-site.com/threads/recent/99

Price Realized £2,250

20 September 2007
London, King Street

Lot Description

A LATE MIGRATION PERIOD SWORD

7th Century

In excavated condition, with tapering double-edged blade, short crossguard of hexagonal section with globular terminals, narrow tapering tang retaining a cast bronze tubular collar, and moulded bronze hemispherical pommel.

23¾in (60.5cm) blade

Lot Notes

The combination of the shape of the pommel and the simple iron crossguard suggest that this hilt could be classified under Behmer's Group C. This group represents the stylistic transition into the Viking Age. See Elis Behmer Das Zweuschneidige Schwert der Germanischen Völkerwanderungszeit (Stockholm, 1939).

Source: www.bonhams.com