ABSTRACT
Jacobsthal coined the term ‘Sword Style’ with particular reference to a series of ornamented scabbards of middle La Tène type from Hungary. In doing so he recognized that this distinctive group was not generated in isolation, either geographically or chronologically; indeed, he memorably declared that ‘the style is a development of the Waldalgesheim style and presupposes its existence’ (1944, 95). In fact, the Hungarian Sword Style, or more strictly Scabbard Style, has a Waldalgesheim phase, best represented in the Litér scabbard, as well as subsequent Waldalgesheim-derived and later variants. Equally the construction of some of the Hungarian scabbard chapes betrays the influence of earlier La Tène 1 forms of western open-ring chapes. Broadly contemporary with the Hungarian series, Jacobsthal also recognized a Swiss grouping of decorated scabbards, more limited in its ornamental repertory, though displaying distinctive technical traits, so that it would not be unreasonable to speak of ‘Scabbard Styles’ in the plural as characteristic of the middle La Tène phase of early Celtic art.
