LOT 0279

Migration Period Iron Sword with Rock Crystal, Gold and Garnet Sword Bead

5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.

1 1/2 - 36 in. (750 grams, 4-91.5 cm).

Comprising a double-edged blade with pointed tip, battle nicks to both cutting edges; short bronze guard and a long tang; accompanied by a facetted rock crystal hilt pendant with a granulated gold mount above, set with a garnet cabochon; Eastern Roman or Alano-Gothic.

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 number no.12041-216428.

Cf. Lebedinsky, I., Armes et guerriers barbares au temps des grandes invasions, Paris, 2001, pp.117-119; Lebedinsky, I., Les Sarmates, Amazones et lanciers cuirassés entre Oural et Danube, VIIe siècle av.J.C.-VIe siecle apr.J.C., Paris, 2002, p.139.

A characteristic type of the Migration period, originally used by nomadic people such as the Alans and Sarmatians. An important element of these swords was the presence (in tombs) of amber or rock crystal fittings, which some authors have identified being part of the pommel (Zasetskaya), and others as pendants hanging from the hilt of the sword. Interestingly the sword of grave 9 from the Necropolis of Novohryhorivka is decorated with a similar pendant, made of amber and fitted with a silver mount decorated with a filigree border.