Kaskara Cross-guards—a second essay for comment by Ed Hunley

[Martin Lubojacky]

An old painting from the museum in Addis Ababa (cca 17th century)

[Edster]

Thanks for your observation/image, Martin. You're correct that there may be a substantial link between the Funj and Ethiopia and other nearby Christian states and the origin of the kaskara. There were a few Christian kingdoms remaining near Ethiopia after the Funj defeated the main one (can't recall its name just now) with capital near present day Khartoum.

I found this thread after the Essay has gone to press. Discussion on this subject herein.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...Kaskara+blades

Also Kubur presented this 1845 image in that same thread. Others have been shown previously by others.

Regards,
Ed

[midelburgo]

From the Ethyopian.

Through the Mamluk swords.

We will finish in Byzantium.

[Edster]

Midelburgo.

Thanks for your comment. You could well be proven correct. Still need more research on the technical transition/evolution of how the quillon is attached to the blade and tang.

Regards,
Ed

[Edster]

In the body of this essay I mentioned an article on Ali Dinar swords by Julia Anderson, et al of the British Museum. I highly recommend it on this interesting subject. That article is now available of the EAA Geographical Index as below:

J. Anderson, A. Ali Mohaned, et al, “Royal Regalia: a sword of the last Sultan of Darfur, Ali Dinar” Sudan and Nubia, The Sudan Archaeological Research Society, Bulletin No. 20, 2016 (Available from EAAGI or via this link: http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/...rson_et_al.pdf

Best,
Ed

[Edster]

The .pdf and printable version of this essay is now available on the EAA Geographical Index as "Kaskara Cross-guards/Quillons"

or directly via this link.

http://vikingsword.com/ethsword/hunl...ara_guards.pdf

As with the Kaskara Fullers monograph, I am indebted to Lee Jones who's layout and editing skills converted the raw thread into a professional document. Also, a special thanks to Ian Greaves who converted my original text and images into a readable thread.

I also appreciate the valuable insights of various Forum Members who added their comments and images to the original thread. It took all of us to produce a useful and I believe significant document.

Expect the third essay, "Kaskara in Silver Dress", to be converted to .pdf soon.

Best regards,
Ed Hunley

[fernando]