What & from Where?

thinreadline · 30th September 2017, 09:16 PM

I have never seen anything quite like this before . but to me it looks like something from the Arts & Craft movement of the 1890s

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 30th September 2017, 10:52 PM

It looks Indian . The way the blade is worked in two huge fullers...

Bob A · 1st October 2017, 12:46 AM

My first impression was also Indian. The only basis for my opinion is the way that this blade, in common with some quality Indian blades, is treated as though steel was an entirely plastic medium. Working steel as though it was modeling clay is a feature which has made a deep impression on me.

That said, it is nothing I've ever seen before. It's a lovely, dramatic piece, to my eyes anyway.

ariel · 1st October 2017, 03:17 AM

Precisely my impression: like clay.

It’s lines just flow..

One of the most beautiful examples of metalwork I’ve seen.

mariusgmioc · 1st October 2017, 11:33 AM

Yes, the fullered blade looks Indian, but the hilt looks so much Art Deco, European...

A. G. Maisey · 1st October 2017, 01:06 PM

Yes, you're right Marius, it is a combination of influences, in fact, if I look at it, I see very decided keris characteristics in the blade:- the strong ada-ada, the deep and pronounced kruwingan (fullers), the defined kusen.

So --- West meets East?

Any clues there do you think?

Bob A · 1st October 2017, 05:48 PM

Well, I had thought to note that the carving of keris blades was another example of artful steelcraft, but the fullers took me kattar-ward for my guess. The strict geometry of the hilt throws me, though. I can see where European or Arts and Crafts sensibility might have come into play. Perhaps even a touch of Arts Nouveau or Deco?

30th September 2017, 09:16 PM	#1
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	I have never seen anything quite like this before . but to me it looks like something from the Arts & Craft movement of the 1890s

30th September 2017, 10:52 PM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	It looks Indian . The way the blade is worked in two huge fullers...

1st October 2017, 12:46 AM	#3
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 447	My first impression was also Indian. The only basis for my opinion is the way that this blade, in common with some quality Indian blades, is treated as though steel was an entirely plastic medium. Working steel as though it was modeling clay is a feature which has made a deep impression on me. That said, it is nothing I've ever seen before. It's a lovely, dramatic piece, to my eyes anyway.

1st October 2017, 03:17 AM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Precisely my impression: like clay. It’s lines just flow.. One of the most beautiful examples of metalwork I’ve seen.

1st October 2017, 11:33 AM	#5
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,912	Yes, the fullered blade looks Indian, but the hilt looks so much Art Deco, European...

1st October 2017, 01:06 PM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,090	Yes, you're right Marius, it is a combination of influences, in fact, if I look at it, I see very decided keris characteristics in the blade:- the strong ada-ada, the deep and pronounced kruwingan (fullers), the defined kusen. So --- West meets East? Any clues there do you think?

1st October 2017, 05:48 PM	#7
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 447	Well, I had thought to note that the carving of keris blades was another example of artful steelcraft, but the fullers took me kattar-ward for my guess. The strict geometry of the hilt throws me, though. I can see where European or Arts and Crafts sensibility might have come into play. Perhaps even a touch of Arts Nouveau or Deco?