Saxon & Medieval — Middle Saxon; late 8th century
Sword pommel
The iron core of this 'cocked hat'-shaped sword pommel is covered with silver-gilt sheets on the top and shoulders. It has D-shaped silver-gilt plates set on each side with patterns of interlaced serpents; the background is filled with black inlay. Throughout the Anglo-Saxon period, the sword was used only by high-ranking individuals. This pommel comes from a particularly fine example. It was obviously well used: continued handling and polishing has worn away most of the gilding layer and, in places, worn through the silver to the iron beneath.
- Category:
- Saxon & Medieval
- Object ID:
- 81.25
- Object name:
- Sword pommel
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- Middle Saxon; late 8th century
- Material:
iron, silver, gilt
- Measurements/duration:
- H 19 mm, W 51 mm, D 9 mm (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.