Decorated Iron Knife
This beautiful iron knife is the latest discovery from the detailed post-excavation work which takes place between the Cookham excavation seasons, courtesy of Claire Woodhead’s expert conservation skills at the Hampshire Cultural Trust.
Before conservation the decoration was completely hidden by corrosion.
This type of knife blade with a pronounced angled back (opposite the cutting edge at the bottom) is characteristic of the 8th and 9th centuries A.D. What signals this as an outstanding example is the decorative metal inlay appearing at the top of the blade which employs twisted wire and larger panels in contrasting colours.
Metal inlays sometimes appear on knives of this period, but usually just as wire in a single colour. High-status swords provide the best parallels for this elaborate style, and it is likely that the knife was similarly crafted by a master smith. The find, recovered from a midden (rubbish dump), is further evidence of the aristocratic nature of the early medieval monastery at Cookham.
We’d like to thank Claire Woodhead of HCT for her amazing work!
Photo: Claire Woodhead at the HCT