2 swords for ID please.

katana · 15th August 2011, 06:11 PM

Hi Glen,
Sorry for the late reply.
My main area of collecting is ethnographic ....where decorative elements are often symbolic or talismatic. These decorative features often aid dating, origins etc and subtle differences can equate to a difference of many years or origins a thousand mile apart.

The hilt with the 'disc' shaped sections of the knucklebow and the other with the elongated 'bead' with a ball at either end, which you mentioned are not even subtly different to the usual 5 'balled' or 'beaded' decoration that I am refering to.....so agreed 'odd'.

My question was about the decorative (or symbolic) grouped 'beaded' design, usually 5 in a row .....either with beads of equal size or those which graduate in size ie smaller at the ends, increasing in size to the middle. This design seems to have travelled to a number of countries....some of which were enemies. To my mind this suggests some symbolic, talismatic or religious meaning.

Kind Regards David

katana · 15th August 2011, 06:40 PM

Continuing the possibillity of a religious meaning to the 5 beaded design....

The basic 'unit' of the Rosary is 5 .....simplistic ...but beads and 5

I am sure there are many possible interpretations , assuming there is one at all. If originally symbolic perhaps the meaning later 'forgotten' and later designs 'just based' on the earlier one

Hotspur · 17th August 2011, 12:29 AM

Hi David

It is not my call but I did link the other discussion regarding the hilts. I have pretty much said my say of own perspective on the matter and would defer to that other thread.

As the two swords in this particular thread had been the original focus and Jim had regarded the sidebars of deserving of another topic, maybe your thoughts about hilts and sword decoration in general deserve a separate thread or response and input to the other linked thread.

Cheers

GC

15th August 2011, 06:11 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Glen, Sorry for the late reply. My main area of collecting is ethnographic ....where decorative elements are often symbolic or talismatic. These decorative features often aid dating, origins etc and subtle differences can equate to a difference of many years or origins a thousand mile apart. The hilt with the 'disc' shaped sections of the knucklebow and the other with the elongated 'bead' with a ball at either end, which you mentioned are not even subtly different to the usual 5 'balled' or 'beaded' decoration that I am refering to.....so agreed 'odd'. My question was about the decorative (or symbolic) grouped 'beaded' design, usually 5 in a row .....either with beads of equal size or those which graduate in size ie smaller at the ends, increasing in size to the middle. This design seems to have travelled to a number of countries....some of which were enemies. To my mind this suggests some symbolic, talismatic or religious meaning. Kind Regards David

15th August 2011, 06:40 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Continuing the possibillity of a religious meaning to the 5 beaded design.... The basic 'unit' of the Rosary is 5 .....simplistic ...but beads and 5 I am sure there are many possible interpretations , assuming there is one at all. If originally symbolic perhaps the meaning later 'forgotten' and later designs 'just based' on the earlier one

17th August 2011, 12:29 AM	#3
Hotspur Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nipmuc USA Posts: 522	Hi David It is not my call but I did link the other discussion regarding the hilts. I have pretty much said my say of own perspective on the matter and would defer to that other thread. As the two swords in this particular thread had been the original focus and Jim had regarded the sidebars of deserving of another topic, maybe your thoughts about hilts and sword decoration in general deserve a separate thread or response and input to the other linked thread. Cheers GC