LOT 0238

Migration Period Spatha Sword Blade with Sword Bead

CIRCA 4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.

1 - 34 in. (921 grams total, 2.7- 86.5 cm).

A double-edged spatha with a lentoid section parallel-sided iron blade with pointed tip; battle nicks to both cutting edges; rhomboid-section cross-guard; a fastening nail on the upper tang; accompanied by a sword bead. [2, No Reserve]

Acquired 1971-1972.
From the collection of the vendor's father.
Property of a London, UK, collector.

Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

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.

A Migration Period sword, originating from Central Asia, often used by nomadic populations and particularly by the Huns, defined as a Nomadic-Asiatic sword by Menghin, or as a sword with plate guard. The long and thin blade, with a lenticular or lozenge section, was equipped with a guard composed of an iron plate inserted into the tang. Little is known about the scabbard of these swords but it is known that they usually had disc-shaped pommels, and stones hanging from the pommel or hilt. This typology was widespread in Central Europe by the Huns and there are also specimens attested in Gaul in the 5th century.