240 CHAPTER 3
2.1.4.1 Ring-pendant
Ring-pendants connected to an omega-shaped rivet on the hilt are frequent
decorations on the Early phase swords (map 40, fig. 88/1–3). Such ring-pen-
dants are mainly known from single-edged swords (13 examples), the number
of double-edged swords with ring-pendants being much lower (four cases).269
The hilts of two sabres were also similarly decorated.270 Ring-pendants could
be made of copper alloy,271 silver272 or iron.273 József Csalog interpreted them
as a social phenonemon: according to his view swords with ring-pendants
were not suitable for fighting, and were instead interpreted only as ostenta-
tious weapons.274 István Bóna offered a different interpretation of this hilt
decoration:275 he held it a functional accessory for fixing the wrist strap of the
sword.276 The great number of ring-pendants made of iron contradicts their
interpretation as merely ostentatious, however their symbolic significance
269 Budakalász–Dunapart grave No. 458; Kölked–Feketekapu A grave No. 260 (Kiss 1996, 76,
Taf. 57/1); Szegvár–Sápoldal (Bóna 1979, 5. 8. 3. kép 1; Bóna 1980, 48–52); Törökbálint 36/25.
lelőhely grave No. 1 (Kovrig 1957, 119–120, XVII. T. 1–2. XVIII. t. 1. 26. ábra).
270 Komárno–8 Shipyard grave No. 142 (Trugly 1993, 213–214. Taf. L/4); Székkutas–Kápolna-
dűlő grave No. 541 (Nagy é.n. (2003) 71, 194. kép 1).
271 Aradac–Mečka grave No. 46 (Nađ 1959, 59, Tab. IX/11; Mrkobrad 1980, 98, 152, LXXIX/5;
Simon 1991, 286); Bóly–Sziebert puszta A, stray find (Papp 1962, 168, XXVIII. b. 1);
Csanytelek–Felgyői határút grave ‘A’ (Kürti 1979, 68; Kürti 1980, 1279–1280; Kürti 1983, 173,
28 kép; Kürti 1990, 79–80, 1. kép; Simon 1991, 289); Gátér–Vasútállomás grave No. 212 (Kada
1906, 215, 218, c. rajz; Fettich 1926a, 8, 10, X. t. 27; Simon 1991, 292, 16. kép 20); Komárno–8
Shipyard grave No. 142 (Trugly 1993, 213–214, Taf. L/4); Kölked–Feketekapu A grave No.
227 (Kiss 1996, 69, Taf. 52/8); Kölked–Feketekapu A grave No. 260 (Kiss 1996, 76, Taf. 57/1);
Szegvár–Sápoldal (Bóna 1979, 5, 8, 3. kép 1; Bóna 1980, 48–52; Simon 1991, 306, 10. kép 4,
- kép 10; Garam 1992, 139–140, Taf. 18); Vác–Kavicsbánya grave No. 301 (Simon 1991, 310;
Tettamanti 2000, Taf. 16/1).
272 Kunpeszér–Felsőpeszéri út grave No. 3, 27 and 30/A (H. Tóth 1984, 12; Simon 1991, 299);
Törökbálint 36/25 grave No. 1 (Kovrig 1957, 119–120, XVII. T. 1–2. XVIII. t. 1, 26. ábra).
273 Kölked–Feketekapu B grave No. 106 (Kiss 2001, 43–44, Taf. 32/9); Paks–Gyapa TO33 grave
No. 12; Szeged–Fehértó A grave No. 167 (Madaras 1995b, 32, Pl. 19/10); Székkutas–Kápolna-
dűlő grave No. 541 (Nagy é.n. (2003) 71, 194. kép 1); Tárnok (Garam 1991b, 222, 3. kép, 5.
kép 2).
274 József Csalog (1959, 105–106) based his interpretations on the sword from Törökbálint with
silver hilt and silver ring-pendant, and on the frescoe of Bäzäklik from Eastern Turkestan.
275 Bóna 1979, 27–28.
276 Bóna 1980, 49–51.