Details

LOT 0278

Migration Period Iron Spatha Sword with Garnet Inlaid Hilt

5TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.

3/4 - 31 1/2 in. (753 grams total, 1.9-80 cm).

Comprising a double-edged parallel-sided blade showing battle nicks on both cutting edges, medium length tapering tang; lentoid-shaped lower-guard with inset garnets to one side; accompanied by an amber sword bead with a bronze stud with garnet inlay. [4]

Provenance

From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.

Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no. 12063-217911.

Literature

Cf. Menghin, W., Das Schwert im Frühen Mittelalter, Stuttgart, 1983; Zasetskaïa, I.P., Kul’tura Kotchovnikov iujnorusskikh stepeï v gunnskuïu epokhu (Culture of the nomads of the southern Russian steppes in the Hun era), Saint Petersburg, 1994; Lebedinski, I., Armes et guerriers Barbares au temps des grandes invasions IVème au Vième siècle après J.C., Paris, 2001, pp.117ff., swords from Loutchistoïé, Novohryhorivka, Bátaszék, Jakuszowice, Szirmabesényo, Ártánd, Horgos; Miks, C., Studien zur Römischen Schwertbewaffnung in der Kaiserzeit, I-II Banden, Rahden, 2007; Kazanski, M.M., Barbarians at the borders of the Eastern Roman Empire (in Russian), Simferopol, 2024, figs.12, p.20, 23, p.31, pl.36, for similar cross-guards.

Footnotes

This type of swords (cf. Lebedinsky 2001, p.117) usually had stones hanging from the pommel or hilt, like the one preserved here. This typology was widespread in central Europe by the Huns and there are also specimens attested in Gaul in the 5th century.