A Bronze silvered Chape for the Pompeii type Gladius short sword. The end attachment clamping the wooden pieces of the scabbard together at the point of the scabbard.

Remnants of a lined edging strip still remains riveted along the length, bottom left side.  This would have extended the length of the chape and added further decoration.  A curved piece with a center groove still forms the top of the chape.  A distinctly Roman rounded knob/finial completes the point.  This finial was cast when it was made in comparison to the remainder of the thin sheet bronze. 

The item most likely at one time had some further intricate designs throughout the middle in the shape of floral or military motives, unfortunately time has erased them.

As the actual example picture below shows, these chapes were commonly adorned with a palmette type pattern near the top. 

See original Palmette example HERE

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-painting by John Warry

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Decoration rivet View   Top cross bar rivet

      Reproduction example

Close up View of Gutteman collection Pompeii chape