Early basket hilts and decorative character of elements
It is well established that the basket hilt (close hilt) form had already evolved in the Continent and in England long before the form evolved as the Highland hilt in Scotland. In this early form in England, it seems that arming swords with simple hilts were in use c.1530s with more half basket. However around the 1570s more bars and structure was added creating this form termed British 'globe hilt'. This example from 1570-80.
It seems that the Border Reivers of northern regions of England may well have been instrumental in the evolution of what became the Highland basket hilt.
Naturally it would be hard to declare this situation as monumental, but it was certainly a factor, likely of key importance.
In these hilts there seem to have been certain decorative features practiced, especially as the Scots began following the practice of more developed hilts.
While the Border Reivers were understandably neither exclusively Scottish nor English as their domains were on the diaphanous borders between the two.
The stylized decoration on the junction plate is believed to pertain to the pine cone which has to do with long life and resurrection.
This scalloping or notching seen in the next image is deemed profoundly Scottish, this from an example c. 1530-40, and seems to be applied in varied fashion on the shields serving as junction plates on the Glasgow hilts as they evolved in latter 17th century. It is unclear how often or instanced these occurred in the interim evolution, but illustrates the traditional symbolism that became notably used in the established Highland forms.
In the example of a junction plate shown, the highly stylized decoration (center illustration)is referred to as a representing the pine cone (termed cone and pouch in design), which symbolically has to do with long life and resurrection. Tenuously of course we might consider the affinity of Scots for the cone shape in pommels.
Last edited by Jim McDougall; 20th July 2025 at 06:39 PM.
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