Norweigian? Viking Sword of Petersen Type E

9th/10th Century, Probably Norwegian.

In excavated condition, with tapering double-edged blade (lower third missing) with shallow central fuller over its entire length on both sides, hilt comprising thick ovoidal cross-piece decorated with numerous small holes against a vertically hatched ground and retaining faint traces of original silver inlay, flat tapering tang, and two-piece pommel of trilobate form decorated en suite with the cross-piece.

52.4 cm. blade, 68.3 cm. overall

Provenance: Acquired from the Paus Collection in 1944

Literature: Hoffmeyer, cat. no. 30, pp. 35, 68 and 71, figs. 7 and 14

For an almost identical example considered by Petersen to be associated with the Trondheim region of Norway see Ian Peirce, Swords Of The Viking Age, 2002, p. 46, illustrated.

Source: www.bonhams.com/auctions/19796/lot/56/

To see the Petersen Typology click here: sword-site.com/thread/845/petersens-classification-typology-viking-swords