SCABBARD

The function of pyramidal mounts is still uncertain, but it seems likely that they were used to help secure the sword in the scabbard, by means of a strap running through the transverse bar on the base of the mount. They were most commonly manufactured in copper alloy and to a lesser extent silver, but occasionally also in gold: two were famously found in Sutton Hoo Mound 1, but despite this they are relatively uncommon grave finds. Instead they are much more common as stray finds, suggesting that they were easily subject to damage and loss. Over 60 have now been recorded on the PAS database and/or reported as treasure, adding considerably to Menghin's (1983, 363-5, Karte 22) original corpus.

The present example falls within Mortimer’s (2019) Type 1vii: flat-topped, square based with non-triangle-based decoration on the sides. Several mounts within this type are decorated with imitation cloisonné cells, usually inlaid with niello. On the PAS database, good parallels include SF-9F5377 (Near Woodbridge, Suffolk) and NMS-043037 (Heacham, Norfolk). This has inlaid niello decoration on the faces, but no trace of this is present on the current example. Examples with garnet settings still present in the apex have also been reported including one from North Yorkshire (PAS database SWYOR-F22FB2).

These mounts date from the late sixth and seventh centuries and initially were small and squat, becoming taller with more varied base shapes during this century. The square base and low height of this example therefore suggests a date range of late sixth to early seventh century AD.

The object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal and is over 300 years old. Consequently it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996 in terms of both age and precious metal content.