288 - Scandinavian Viking Iron Sword with Silver Inlaid Hilt. Circa 9th-10th century A.D. Double-edged cutting sword of Petersen's Type K, with parallel-sided blade, shallow fullers showing some traces of pattern-welded construction and a possible inscription (+VLFBERHT+?) on both sides, short rectangular-section tang, boat-shaped lower guard with silver ring-chain ornament to the upper face; five-lobed pommel with remains of silver-sheet ornament to lower edge. See Petersen, J., De Norske Vikingsverd, Oslo, 1919; Peirce, I., Swords of the Viking Age, Suffolk, 2002, pp.63-73, especially a sword in the National Museum in Dublin, Ireland. 770 grams, 69.2 cm long (27 1/4 in.). [No Reserve]

Scandinavian Viking Iron Sword with Silver Inlaid Hilt. Circa 9th-10th century A.D. Double-edged cutting sword of Petersen's Type K, with parallel-sided blade, shallow fullers showing some traces of pattern-welded construction and a possible inscription (+VLFBERHT+?) on both sides, short rectangular-section tang, boat-shaped lower guard with silver ring-chain ornament to the upper face; five-lobed pommel with remains of silver-sheet ornament to lower edge. See Petersen, J., De Norske Vikingsverd, Oslo, 1919; Peirce, I., Swords of the Viking Age, Suffolk, 2002, pp.63-73, especially a sword in the National Museum in Dublin, Ireland. 770 grams, 69.2 cm long (27 1/4 in.). [No Reserve] Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13433-261728. This blade of 9th or 10th century A.D. is most beautifully shaped bearing a possible VLFBERHT inscription, with the iron inlay of pattern-welded form. The elements of the hilt are inlaid in silver. Petersen regarded his type K with its characteristic five (rarely seven) lobed pommel as being native by Frankish lands by the Rhine, and speculated that the type came to Norway in the first half of 9th century as a result of Viking raids. TimeLine Auctions follows a rigorous vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists. See our website for more information.