[MR] Sheaths and Scabbards, Book Review (sort of)

[Garth G. Groff]

  Noble friends,

Just cataloged for the UVA libraries: SHEATHS AND SCABBARDS FROM 
MEDIEVAL BERGEN, IN A COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE, (The Bryggen Papers, Main 
Series, No. 8) by Ole Magne Nottveit (ISBN 9788245010305; our call #  
FINE ARTS DL596 .B4 N67 2010). This is a very interesting scholarly work 
which centers on scabbards and sheaths found in medieval Bryggen, or 
Bergen in modern language. The study covers artifacts dating from 1120 
to 1700, with the majority from 1175-1475. In addition, the study 
compares the Bryggen finds to other artifacts from Norway, Germany, 
Switzerland and London. It is filled with many detailed drawings of 
various types of sheaths and scabbards, showing construction details, as 
well as decorative work. There are also contemporary paintings and 
engravings showing blades with sheaths and scabbards being worn with 
other elements of costume. A CD-Rom is included, which contains 
photographic reproductions of some of the artifacts which are shown as 
drawings in the text. This is a marvelous volume for leather workers and 
weapons enthusiasts, and illustrates aspects of post-Viking Scandinavian 
culture often overlooked by Scadians.

Kind regards,


Lord Mungo Napier, Shire of Isenfir's Unofficial Librarian
(Garth Groff; Cataloging Dept., University of Virginia Libraries)