Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Polish sword blade, what are the symbols?

Jim McDougall · 27th September 2007, 06:53 AM

Hi Rand,
Extremely interesting blade, and as Wolviex notes, unusual to see this motif applied in this particular manner over the fullers. The use of the sun,moon and stars were quite commonly used suggesting cabalistic/talismanic symbolism throughout the 18th century and into the early 19th on European blades. The complexities of the occult often preclude exact interpretation of these symbols, though these were widely used throughout blade making centers that included Solingen as well as locations in Hungary. Poland, Styria and others. It would seem that primarily they implied superior quality of the blades they were on.

It would help to get a closeup of the figure in the center of the blade, and as Wolviex has requested, a full view of the hilt.

Best regards,
Jim

27th September 2007, 06:53 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,191	Hi Rand, Extremely interesting blade, and as Wolviex notes, unusual to see this motif applied in this particular manner over the fullers. The use of the sun,moon and stars were quite commonly used suggesting cabalistic/talismanic symbolism throughout the 18th century and into the early 19th on European blades. The complexities of the occult often preclude exact interpretation of these symbols, though these were widely used throughout blade making centers that included Solingen as well as locations in Hungary. Poland, Styria and others. It would seem that primarily they implied superior quality of the blades they were on. It would help to get a closeup of the figure in the center of the blade, and as Wolviex has requested, a full view of the hilt. Best regards, Jim Last edited by Jim McDougall; 27th September 2007 at 10:23 PM.