Sword hilt

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This gilt brass sword hilt is the finest Viking example found in Scotland. It is from a double-edged broad sword discovered on Eigg in the Inner Hebrides by a local farmer whilst levelling a mound. The mound is thought to have contained a pagan burial.

All parts of the sword hilt - its pommel, grip and guard - are richly decorated with animal and geometric ornament in panels. Some of the decoration is inlaid with silver or silver thread.

The sword hilt was found with bronze bucket mounts and a now-lost whetstone. Pieces of the blade were found around the same time as the sword hilt, but these also do not survive.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-043-704-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IL 157
• Date: 9th century
  
• Material: Bronze, silver, gilt and niello
  
• Dimensions: 7.50" L
  
• What:
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Inverness-shire, Eigg
  
• Event:
• Description: Viking sword hilt of bronze inlaid with silver, from Eigg, 9th century
  
• References:
  • Grieg, Sigurd. Viking Antiquities in Scotland (=Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland, Part II, ed. by Haakon Shetelig). Oslo: H. Aschehoug & Co., 1940, pp 63-6. 
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