10th century A.D. A double-edged cutting sword of Petersen Type U with a shallow-fullered broad blade and round tip; boat-shaped lower guard and a large pommel, originally divided in three parts and with traces of silver inlay. Cf. Petersen, J., De Norske Vikingsverd, Oslo, 1919; Petersen, J., De Norske Vikingsverd, Saint Petersburg, 2005; Peirce, I., Swords of the Viking Age, Suffolk, 2002, p.110; the main reference example is a sword published by Petersen (p.182, fig.122) from Seim, Ardal; another interesting and important specimen is published by Peirce, the British Museum 1915.5-4.1, found in the river Lea riverbed, near Edmonton, Middlesex. 874 grams, 92 cm (31/4 in.). Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector. Accompanied by an academic expertise by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate no.11396-192363. Petersen Type U swords were used predominantly during the 10th and 11th centuries. Examples of this sword type have been found across northern Europe and a great number of them are decorated with some form of inlay or overlay using silver, copper and bronze. The gently tapering blade of this sword with tapering fuller seems to correspond to the type 3 individuated by Geibig, and so dated to the 10th century, when taking the dating opinions of Petersen concerning this category into consideration.