188 CHAPTER 3
the silver (three examples).98 Characteristic of decoration with gold or silver
foil is the frame of pearl-line ornament, and the precious stone or glass inlay
on the crossguard (CG.3) and the triple-arched suspension loop (S.6) which are
common on this type of weapon.
The single-edged ring-pommel type was originally termed the ‘Csengele
type’ by Dezső Csallány, and he dated them to the second half of the Early
phase.99 The reconstructions of Gyula László added new examples to this
variant,100 and subsequently considered these swords in their social context,
and regarded them as insignia.101 The type later received an ethnic interpreta-
tion and was identified as a sign of the Inner Asian component of the Avars.102
Ring-pommel swords were further studied by László Simon with the recon-
struction of the Nagykőrös sword,103 and their social significance received par-
ticular attention in respect of the burial at Kunbábony which was interpreted
as a qagan’s grave.104
The main distribution area of this type lies in the Danube – Tisza inter-
fluve105 and Transtisia106 but examples are also known from Sirmium107 and
Transylvania (map 32).108 These swords were not found in Transdanubia. The
distribution area of this type overlaps with that of the swords decorated with
gold foil. According to a number of interpretations the Avar qagan’s seat was
situated in this area.
Szurdok (Simon 1983, 9–43. 6–20. kép, II–VII. t).
98 Manđelos (Ercegović – Pavlović 1973–74, 108, fig. 1. I. t. 1); Szegvár-Oromdűlő grave No. 335
and 540.
99 Csallány 1939, 141.
100 Based on the swords of Kecel and Bócsa, found in 1935, Gyula László reconstructed the
original layout of the gold foils of Kunágota (László 1938, 55–86; László 1950, 31–33).
101 According to the view of Gyula László the swords with gold coverings from Bócsa and
Kecel were insignia of princely rank (László 1955, 231–232. 235).
102 Based on ring-pommel swords from Far Eastern sites (mainly Korea) (Ito 1971; Werner
1988) their Inner Asian origin was suggested by Csanád Bálint (1978, 206), István Bóna
(1980, 51; Bóna 1984a, 310–311) and László Simon (1991, 273).
103 László Simon (1983) interpreted the sword from Nagykőrös as an insignia, however, based
on its small size he regarded it a child’s sword.
104 H. Tóth 1972a, 167; H. Tóth – Horváth 1992).
105 Bócsa (Garam 1993, 53–57. Taf. 4–21); Kecel (László 1955, 232–233, fig. 64. LI–LII. t. LIII. t.
25), Nagykőrös (Simon 1983, 9–43. 6–20. kép, II–VII. t).
106 Szegvár-Oromdűlő grave No. 335 and 540.
107 Manđelos (Ercegović – Pavlović 1973–74, 108, fig. 1. I. t. 1).
108 Rustoiu – Ciuta 2008, 74–75.