Abingdon Sword

[4] The Abingdon Sword has silver mounts inlaid with niello in the Trewhiddle style.

[1] The style of the guards and pommel also suggest the sword dates from the late ninth to tenth century.

The upper and lower guards are curved and contain various interlaced designs, including birds, animal and human figures, and foliated patterns.

The style of leaf used next to the figure of the eagle on the upper guard has also been identified on early tenth century embroideries from Durham.

The pommel incorporates two outward-looking animal heads, with protruding ears and round eyes and nostrils, now fragmentary.