The Sword of John Hampden(?)

Jim McDougall · 22nd August 2024, 04:03 AM

You bet I.P. ! and likewise thank you for these images and more intriguing ideas...pomegranites etc? hadnt noted these details.

Found this:
from "Swords and Daggers" John Hayward, 1951, p.5,
"...during the first half of the 17th century, a number of hilt constructions were developed in England that were peculiar to this country."
further,
"...the decoration of these hilts was executed in silver and gold encrustation and damascene, often of high quality. Some of the 'damaskers' mentioned in contemporary English documents were probably foreigners, but there is good evidence, for example in the Royal Wardrobe Accounts, to show that such native CUTLERS AS ROBERT SOUTH AND THOMAS CHESHIRE were supplying work like this kind in the early 17th c.".

I checked Boccia & Coelho ("Armi Bianche Italiene", Florence, 1975) and found no evidence of Cellini work on hilts. Reading his biography however, thus guy was one of the most dynamic, scandalous characters ever.

So it seems that the elaborate work in these hilts is quite likely by South.

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22nd August 2024, 04:03 AM	#14
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,189	You bet I.P. ! and likewise thank you for these images and more intriguing ideas...pomegranites etc? hadnt noted these details. Found this: from "Swords and Daggers" John Hayward, 1951, p.5, "...during the first half of the 17th century, a number of hilt constructions were developed in England that were peculiar to this country." further, "...the decoration of these hilts was executed in silver and gold encrustation and damascene, often of high quality. Some of the 'damaskers' mentioned in contemporary English documents were probably foreigners, but there is good evidence, for example in the Royal Wardrobe Accounts, to show that such native CUTLERS AS ROBERT SOUTH AND THOMAS CHESHIRE were supplying work like this kind in the early 17th c.". I checked Boccia & Coelho ("Armi Bianche Italiene", Florence, 1975) and found no evidence of Cellini work on hilts. Reading his biography however, thus guy was one of the most dynamic, scandalous characters ever. So it seems that the elaborate work in these hilts is quite likely by South.