MEDIEVAL SCABBARD

1400

Silver scabbard-chape. At the mouth it is almost triangular in cross-section, although the triangle is irregular and looks almost like the result of deformation subsequent to manufacture. The mouth is cut into nine low projections, each with an incurved top; three projections have decoration of three short vertical engraved lines. Below the projections is a wide raised collar with a median groove. The rest of the scabbard has just one area of decoration, a shield with a background of oblique lines on which is a plant motif (central ?flower and two pairs of branching leaves). The shield ends rather inconclusively - it does not appear to have been worn away - and there are some punch marks below. The decoration is placed below the three mouth projections with engraving. A seam which has been welded shut is just visible down the back of the chape, and the pointed tip was probably formed in the same way. The British Museum have dated this object to the 15th or 16th century.