Lot 63A
Northwestern Europe, United Kingdom, ca. 9th century CE. Very rare iron and bronze shield boss and iron knife. The shield boss was once part of a large wooden shield and was the central decorative and defensive element of the shield. The rounded boss could act as a way to deflect arrows or blows from the enemies sword. Short knife of slightly offset form, sharpened on leading edge with tang for insertion onto a wooden grip. This pair was found in the River Esk at Whitby sometime in the 1920's. They are almost undoubtedly from the Viking raid on Whitby and its Abby in 867 CE. Displayed at the Whitsby Museum until the 1960's when it was returned to the original owner's family. Custom stand. Size: 9" L (22.9 cm) for the knife.
Provenance: Ex - Private UK collection. Exhibited Whitby Museum, North Yorkshire, England.
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#117168
- Condition: Edges to knife showing expected pitting from extended burial, but still remarkably intact. Shield boss in quite excellent condition and quite stable.
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