Odd sword that sold at Dorotheum

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams Iain and Jim ~ This looks like influence from the Schiavona in the pommel and hilt though strange cuff and quillons suggest something more like the Wallace style of cuff. The blade has the look of a Solingen. The turned down quillons in Naga form are a further puzzle; The style usually seen is at http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=17430 in the second picture on the left of view. This one seems to be earlier or older looking and not so rigid.

Possible Constantinople weapon?

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Hi Ibrahiim,

There's nothing really schiavona like in the pommel in my view. It's not a "cat's head". It's a style of pommel known in the Oakeshott typology as Type I1, popular in the 14 and 15th centuries.

The blade could well be a German product although that's somewhat indeterminate from the imagery available. The auction house dating of 15th century seems plausible due the mark and style of inlay.

I wouldn't describe the quillions as "naga" that's a term related specifically to Buddhist and Hindu mythology. They are dragons from what we can see in the images. The arms and ornate collar are highly reminiscent of jineta. However the dragon form does point away from classical Nasrid designs.

In the image you linked - that's a Qajar revival piece from the 19th century.

The piece under discussion does not fit anything visible in the icongraphy or archeology of Byzantine or Trebizond that I'm aware of.


The Persian idea is interesting Jim, as I recall Chinese style dragons (as these seem to be from the head shape) started to be in vogue during the Timurid period.

The pommel looks potentially older than the rest of the hilt assembly to me...