Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 1).djvu/95

 *the superb but little-known sword in the Dömschatz at Essen, Germany (Fig. 28). In our opinion it is perhaps the only sword that can possibly claim the antiquity assigned to it, namely, the Xth or XIth century, as apart from its actual form the argument of its decoration vigorously acclaims its very early date. Indeed, the question has arisen, a question not lightly to be set aside, as to whether or no the blade is not of even greater antiquity than is claimed by the mounting. There is the possibility, and tradition so claims it, that the blade belongs to Roman times, to the IVth century, and was used at the execution of the patron saints of Essen, St. Kosmas and St. Damian, who suffered for their Christian faith in the year 303. Though within the category of truth, this tradition requires strong belief. The following is a description of the sword as we see it to-day.

The flattened lobated pommel is studded with precious stones, showing very little of the gold filigree groundwork. The quillons have, besides the precious stones, decorations in the form of small enamelled plates, but of which only three still exist. The enamel is in form of stars and fan-shaped ornaments: pale yellow (opaque), deep yellow (opaque), dark green (opaque), greenish blue (opaque), white (translucent), cobalt blue (translucent), light blue (opaque), and very dark blue (opaque).

The upper and lower parts of the quillons, as well as the front and back of the hilt, are decorated with gold filigree work.

The scabbard consists of a wooden lining of beechwood overlaid with gold plates. At the sides it has been restored, like one or two of the embossed gold plates that cover the scabbard. The locket mount and the chape have been strengthened, probably in later mediaeval times, by fresh plates of gilded silver.

The artistic beauty of this splendid sword lies in the embossed gold plates that decorate the front and back of the scabbard. The raised design is masterly in treatment, and consists of scrollwork in the form of spirals, with foliage and animals interspersed. Experts on architectural ornament assign to this scabbard a date between the Xth and XIth centuries, for as early as the Xth century similar designs of foliage and animals occur on