MEROVINGIAN OR VIKING IRON DAGGER Ca. AD 600 - 800. A short dagger with a silver-gilt handle and matching scabbard. The hilt is formed of a rectangular grip with two panels framed by beaded borders, each decorated in repoussé with stylised interlacing and geometric motifs. The pommel plate is fitted with three rivets. The double-edged, tapered blade is inserted into the grip and housed in a silver scabbard embossed with a repeated pattern of fan-shaped motifs in a grid arrangement. For similar see: J. J. Aillagon, Roma e i Barbari, La nascita di un nuovo mondo, Palazzo grassi, Roma, La Necropoli di Campochiaro, Cat, V.17. Size: 150mm x 25mm; Weight: 60g Provenance: London collection; Ex. Mayfair collection, acquired from an Ancient Art gallery; formerly acquired on the London art market pre-2000. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.