Sword pommel, five lobed, made from cetacean (whale) bone. Description and illustration in MacGregor et al, Bone, Antler, Ivory and Horn from Anglo-Scandinavian and Medieval York (p. 1945). 'A sword pommel of cetatean (whale) bone (6810) represents a rare find from the British Isles. Found in a 12th century context, its five-lobed form suggests an origin two or three centuries earlier. Although not identical to any of the standard types of metal pommels, it conforms most closely to those designated 'Type IV' by Wheeler (1927, 34-5) and Type K by Petersen (1919, 105-12); the rounded profile of the underside of the Coppergate pommel, however, contrasts with the rectangular outline which is a normal feature of the others. Wheeler suggested a date of c.850-950 for the group, while Petersen favoured an origin in the early 9th century. The broadly 9th and 10th century date postulated for a representative of this group now in the Wallace Collection, London (Mann 1962, 240-1) is as narrow as might be hazarded for 6810. The dense tissue of cetacean bone evidently recommended it for this purpose, for several examples of both pommels and guards - some of them highly decorative - are known from Scandinavia (MacGregor 1985, 167). CURRENTLY ON DISPLAY MOUNTED WITH OBJECT YORYM : C560
