|
Date: |
|
Description: | A cast copper alloy 'ogival' guard from the hilt of an Iron Age sword dated to the late Iron Age or very early (native) Roman period, c. 100 BC - 100 AD. The guard or hilt plate is complete and would have separated the hilt from the blade on the sword. In plan it is sub-rectangular (rectangular with tapering ends that terminate in rounded points) and in profile it is bowed (ogival or ogee shaped). The cast hole through the centre of the guard echoes the overall shape of the artefact, however the terminals are much more pronounced ending in sharp points. It is through this hole that the tang would pass; this plate would sit at the base of the tang and the organic grip is lost. A cast pommel or cap would have fitted at the tip of the tang. The upper face of the plate is faceted with he two outer edges being uneven; one had a deeper faceted edge than the other. There seems to be no direct functional reason for this differential faceting, but it is possible that it may echo a design on the scabbard or suggest a preferred front / back alignment in the scabbard - possibly the more faceted edge facing outwards. The underside of the hilt plate is uneven, with four distinct U shaped grooves extending along the underside. These grooves are not exact or neat and it is likely that there presence adds rigidity and strength to the arched bow shaped profile.The artefact is a mid brown green colour with a well preserved patina. Areas of concreted grit and sand are imbedded in part of the patina supporting the theory that this is most likely to have been deposited within a waterlogged / riverine deposit.A close parallel for this artefact can be seen in Llyn Cerrig Bach assemblage (Savory 1976, p57 Cat. entry 17.1 illustrated p94 / Fig 24.1). This example is still associated with its iron blade and is well illustrated in Cyril Fox's Catalogue (1946 p 73 cat No. 1. (plate II..1 and XXXIV.92). This example compares well with Llyn Cerrig on, although it is very slightly smaller. Date wise this example fits best with late La Tene II and La Tene III sword blade which are often lentoidal in cross section having double fullered blades; these fullers flank a median ridge. A good PAS parallel is a Sword Guard from Norfolk (NMS-C4D772).The hilt plate / sword guard measures 44.9mm length, 13.2mm width, is 12.2mm high and 3.5mm thick; it weighs 5.68 grams. The internal diameter of the central hole measures 30.4mm length and 6.7mm width.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
-
Sword
Steel hilted sword which belonged…
-
SCABBARD
This artefact has been studied…
-
Sword
1751 Pattern Infantry Hangar hilt…
-
SWORD
1751 Pattern Infantry Hangar hilt…
-
Sword
Hunting sword. The hilt consists…
-
Sword
Small-sword. The hilt consists of…
-
SWORD
Fragment of Late Iron Age…
-
Sword
Solid half-basket hilted sword. The…
-
DAGGER
An extremely rare and important…
|