SCABBARD MOUNT OF A 16TH CENTURY FALCHION

EUROPEAN c. 1500–1530

Sword scabbards and their mounts of the 15th and 16th centuries are rare survivals and information about their appearance is largely based on period paintings. Most of the scabbards of the period were made of wood and covered with layers of cloth and leather. The lowest scabbard mount was often lost or had to be replaced as it was subject to heavy wear but was attached with only a few rivets or nails.

This iron scabbard mount has the shape of a sabre or falchion. A close example (but of a straight-bladed sword) is preserved in the Uppsala Cathedral, Sweden, once belonged to the king Gustav Vasa (picture attached). The object is in very nice excavated condition.

• Height 13.5 cm
• Weight 30 g