Silver Hilted Sassanian Sword circa 6th / 7th Century

The iron blade tapering to the rounded tip, surmounted by a silver hilt, the grip modelled with a vertical rib in relief, with a protuberance above the elliptical guard, the flattened pommel with a raised central rib, 35 7/8in (91.2cm) length of sword including hilt; the scabbard decorated with six pairs of applied spirals either side a vertical raised rib, with two P-shaped mounts secured with rivets, the backs of each with small loops for suspension from belt straps, 31 3/8in (79.7cm) length of scabbard, the iron blade corroded, repaired and re-attached, the silver hilt and scabbard repaired with restoration (2)

Sold for £8,400 inc. premium

Provenance: Acquired by the owner's family in the 1950s.

Literature: Cf. Exhibition Catalogue, Hofkunst van de Sassanieden, (Brussels 1993), pp.177-179, nos.36-39.

Source: m.bonhams.com/auctions/16853/lot/241/