Eagle gladius hilt

[Daniel S Peterson]

There is indeed a provenanced, original Roman eagle-headed sword pommel, made of ivory, and in the Mittelrheinisches Landesmuseum, Mainz. It is actually so unusual that the first inclination is that it might have gone on some cheapo Chinese made, fake samurai sword. The eagle is quite realistic with a rather fragile open beak. At one time, l suspect, this cavity was occupied by a serpent's head/neck, as the serpent's body is a coil which forms the grip. Like so many of the Mainz finds, I believe this is of 1st century AD date. Somewhere I have a photo.......<br>
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Dan <p></p><i></i>