Replica sword, sword hilt

This is a modern replica of a unique silver-gilt sword hilt that is now in the British Museum. It is decorated with complex patterns, outlined with a black compound of silver, copper, lead and sulphur called 'niello'. The grip has a pattern of four whirling snakes on one side, an elongated spread-eagled beast on the other. The original sword hilt was probably made in the late 700s, and was found in Fetter Lane, off Fleet Street, many years ago. At the time it was difficult to explain why an object of this date should have been found there, but we now know that this area was close to the Saxon town of Lundenwic.