Viking Sword

European, probably Scandinavia

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 373

The richly decorated hilt and pattern-welded blade indicate that this sword was carried by a warrior of high rank, perhaps a Viking chieftain or a Frankish nobleman. The braided copper wires on the pommel may represent an earlier Scandinavian custom of tying a protective talisman to a sword hilt. The pattern-welded blade was forged of intertwined rods of steel and iron, a technique that produced a tough yet resilient blade with a distinctive swirling pattern on its surface. Such blades were treasured for both their practical and decorative qualities.

#4401. Sword

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Viking Sword, Steel, copper, silver, niello, European, probably Scandinavia

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