No. 430. Gold Cover of the Knob of a Sword-handle. Sepulchre IV. Actual size.
GOLDEN SWORD-HANDLE KNOBS.
Not less sumptuous are the golden covers of sword-handle knobs (Nos. 431, 432), the former being ornamented in intaglio work with a number of concentric circles and spirals; the latter also in intaglio work, with a border of small beautiful spirals and several concentric circles, the innermost of which has a border of spirals in the shape of fish, the internal space being filled with ornaments in the form of horse-shoes. In a similar way the two golden objects, Nos. 433 and 434, have served as covers of sword-handle knobs; the former being ornamented with a double band in the form of ropes, the latter with vertical flutings.
Nos. 431-434. Gold Covers of the Knobs of Sword-handles. Sepulchre IV. Actual size.
There were further found in this tomb, in a heap together, thirty-five arrow-heads of obsidian, which were probably mounted on wooden shafts and contained in a wooden quiver which has disappeared. I represent under No. 435 the fifteen different types of these arrow-heads. Nothing could give a better idea of the great antiquity of these tombs than these stone arrow-heads, for the Iliad seems to know only arrow-heads of bronze.[331] Probably there had also been bows deposited in the tomb; but, being of wood, like the quivers and arrow-shafts, they would have decayed.
No. 435. Arrow-heads of Obsidian. Sepulchre IV. Size 7 : 8, about.
There were further found here sixty boars'-teeth; of all which the reverse side is cut perfectly flat, and has two borings, which must have served to fasten them on another object, perhaps on horse-trappings. But we see in the Iliad[332] that they were also used on helmets, either as a protection or as an ornament.