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LOT 0324
Viking Iron Sword of Petersen Type L
10TH CENTURY A.D.
34 in. (775 grams, 86.5 cm).
Double-edged cutting sword with tapering blade showing battle nicks along the length, tapering fullers showing shallow traces of pattern-welding, long tang, a boat-shaped lower guard and a three-lobed pommel.
ProvenanceFrom 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 search certificate number no.13261-254356.
Cf. Petersen, J., De Norske Vikingsverd, Oslo,1919, p.112ff.; Wilson, D., W. ‘Some Neglected Late Anglo-Saxon Swords,’ in Medieval Archaeology, 1965, pp.32-54; Peirce, I., Swords of the Viking Age, Suffolk, 2002; Żabiński, G., ‘Viking Age Swords from Scotland’, in Acta Militaria Mediaevalia III, Kraków, Sanok, 2007, pp.29–84; the sword finds parallels in various similar Viking age specimens of L variant; two very similar swords, both preserved at the British Museum, have been published by Peirce (2002, pp.77-81); similar boat-shaped guard and five-lobed pommel are visible on a sword from Mileham, Norfolk (Castle Museum, Norwich: inv. no. 2IO.949, see Wilson, 1965, pl.VI) the blade of which is pattern-welded.
FootnotesThis type, considered as Anglo-Saxon in origin, is usually dated to 850-975 A.D., and is considered to form a distinctive group of Viking Age swords. Although used by the Vikings, it is probable that these swords were of English manufacture or inspiration. Swords of Type L are remarkable for their crosspieces and pommel bases curved away from the grip and lobed pommels.
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