Eurasian Art Ltd., London

This sword is one of a small group of high-status Scythian parade swords with composite bipartite scabbards. Four of these are known to be from the North Pontic area: from the barrow near Shumeiko Farmstead; from Ostraya Mogila near the village of Tomakovka; from a barrow near the village of Aleksandrovka (modern Ukraine); and from the ‘Golden Barrow’ in the Crimea. These can be dated to the last quarter of the sixth to early fifth century BC. The fifth is represented by the sword from the Vettersfelde Treasure (modern western Poland) also dated to the last quarter of the 6th century BC. Our sword differs from the others as the hilt and the lower part of the scabbard are fitted with heavy gold on both sides. With its sophisticated and superbly executed animal style, it is without question the finest of all surviving examples.