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SPATHA IRON SWORD WITH INLAID GARNETS (Fifth Century)
A magnificent Byzantine double-edged iron sword from the Migration Period with beautiful heart-shaped garnets. The top of the blade has sloped shoulders where a heart, triangle and rectangle shaped garnet decorated guard rests. This sword has a short tang and a rounded pommel with four inlaid garnets. (84.5 cm)
An excellent example of an early iron sword with garnets. The blade has bowed slightly and the metal has significantly oxidised; the guard rests on the shoulders, and the pommel is detached.
Weaponry sits within an interesting space within the realm of Saints and Sinners. Many Saints are depicted holding or using them, such as Saint Michael slaying the Devil. The purpose of weaponry is to protect, but they also have the purpose to kill, which goes against the ten commandments laid out by God for mankind. Objects such as these create a paradox of good and evil, in the defence of good.
PROVENANCE: From a private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. Checked against the Interpol database of stolen works of art and accompanied by a search certificate.