Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jim McDougall · 7th March 2016, 06:02 AM

I still cannot imagine what that odd grouping of characters would mean, and it seems even far fetched for pseudo Islamic script. The also very odd cartouche device is puzzling. The inscribed decoration on the blade itself seems to be very 'East European' with the trellis type motif.

This hilt however looks very much like a 'dogs head pommel ' hanger of the Netherlands c. 1650-60 ("European Weapons and Armour", E Oakeshott, 1980, plate 20,(E)
One of these similar hilts is in the Rotius painting of " The Banner of Capt. Jan Simonsz Jongemasts Town Guard of Hoorn" (1652).

There was a rather symbolic use of Ottoman devices such as the crescent and garb etc by the Dutch forces in the long revolt against Spain (1568-1648) and these 'geuzen' (also known as 'sea beggars'). This appears to be significant in the use of the crescent man in the moon symbol .
The Dutch had sought assistance from the Ottoman Sultan, but there isno evidence any ever transpired, nor were there significant contacts despite regular trade between Turkey and the Netherlands.
The theme was rather unusual for the devout Protestants as it claimed ' rather a Turk than a Papist', vehemently against the Catholicism of Spain.

While it is tempting to suggest this seemingly stylized Islamic script might be associated, it is a European blade of the period and such oblique use of this as a device in the manner of crescent etc. would not be served being hidden under the hilt. ....so who knows?

Looking forward to other possibilities.

7th March 2016, 06:02 AM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,177	I still cannot imagine what that odd grouping of characters would mean, and it seems even far fetched for pseudo Islamic script. The also very odd cartouche device is puzzling. The inscribed decoration on the blade itself seems to be very 'East European' with the trellis type motif. This hilt however looks very much like a 'dogs head pommel ' hanger of the Netherlands c. 1650-60 ("European Weapons and Armour", E Oakeshott, 1980, plate 20,(E) One of these similar hilts is in the Rotius painting of " The Banner of Capt. Jan Simonsz Jongemasts Town Guard of Hoorn" (1652). There was a rather symbolic use of Ottoman devices such as the crescent and garb etc by the Dutch forces in the long revolt against Spain (1568-1648) and these 'geuzen' (also known as 'sea beggars'). This appears to be significant in the use of the crescent man in the moon symbol . The Dutch had sought assistance from the Ottoman Sultan, but there isno evidence any ever transpired, nor were there significant contacts despite regular trade between Turkey and the Netherlands. The theme was rather unusual for the devout Protestants as it claimed ' rather a Turk than a Papist', vehemently against the Catholicism of Spain. While it is tempting to suggest this seemingly stylized Islamic script might be associated, it is a European blade of the period and such oblique use of this as a device in the manner of crescent etc. would not be served being hidden under the hilt. ....so who knows? Looking forward to other possibilities.