| 105 knapp unterhalb der Parierstange. Ansonsten fachmännisch restauriertes und stabilisiertes Schwert mit guter Eisensubstanz ohne jede Ergänzung. Ein selten schönes Exemplar eines Wikingerschwertes, das sich durch einen ausgefeilten, einzigartigen Dekor auszeichnet. Provenienz: Süddeutscher Privatbesitz (nachgelassen), übernommen aus einer Spezialsammlung mit Schwerpunkt auf Stichwaffen, erworben in den 1960er bis 1970er Jahren im Kunsthandel. A Viking sword with Ringerike-style inlay, late 10th – early 11th century A.D. Viking sword of the Petersen ‘L’ or Wheeler ‘VI’ type. 81 cm long blade, with a shallow, wide fuller in the centre extending from the crossguard to just before the point. The blade tapers from a width of 5.5 cm below the crossguard to approx. 2 cm directly in front of the point with slightly indented sides. Above the base of the blade is the long trapezoid tang, on which a crossguard of solid iron with wire inlay work is attached, curved slightly downwards at the sides. At the upper end of the tang a pommel with a slightly upward curved base and a tripartite upper section, also wire inlaid. The inlay in the Ringerike style of the early 11th century: the crossguard decorated on both sides with differently shaped wavy tendrils, bordered at the top and bottom by a line with a herringbone pattern whose v-shaped, interlocking wire inlays are made of alternating silver and copper wire. On the top of the crossguard a ‘fir tree’ motif with volutes at the base, also in two colours of copper and silver. The decoration of the pommel is different on both sides. On the lower section of one side wavy tendrils with spirals, bordered by lines with a herringbone pattern, on the other side a wavy tendril with forked coils at the ends. The notches on the upper part of the tripartite pommel are marked on both sides by a line with a herringbone pattern, again in two colours of copper and silver. Different, again two-coloured animal depictions on the heights of the domed knobs on both sides. On one side in the centre two intertwined mythical creatures with dragon bodies and on each side an inward-facing bird of prey head with neck attachment. A ‘palmette’ in the centre of the other side, with two outward-facing birds on each side. Total length 96.5 cm. The surface with rust pitting, mostly only minimal nicks on the edges, two larger ones on one side just below the crossguard. Otherwise a professionally restored and stabilised sword with good iron substance without any additions. A rare, beautiful example of a Viking sword, characterised by its sophisticated, unique decoration. Provenance: Private South German collection (bequeathed), inherited from a special collection with a focus on edged weapons, acquired in the art trade during the 1960s to 1970s. 331201 II - € 12.000
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