Viking Silvered Sword Chape with Birka Falcon

9th-10th century AD
A silvered bronze bifacial scabbard chape, D-shaped with triangular upper edge; the openwork centre of each face formed with a stylised bird with wings extended to the frame, bird's head in profile to the apex; incised decoration to both faces, feather detailing to the bird's chest, tail and wings. 24 grams, 64mm (2 1/2"). Fine condition.
Provenance
Property of a lady living in Kent, UK; formerly part of her grandfather's collection; acquired in Germany after WWII; thence by descent 2006.
Literature
Cf. Paulsen, P. Schwertortbänder der Wikingerzeit, Stuttgart, 1953, in relation to the trading centre on the island of Birka, eastern Sweden; see also Charlotte Hedenstierna-Jonson for the significance of the falcon motif to the society of Birka, particularly with regard to the development of a 'princely family' and its heraldic display, in Rus', Varangians and Birka Warriors (2002).