Big British Basket Hilted Sword

Victrix · 11th June 2020, 10:27 AM

Jim, many thanks for your comments. They make perfect sense. The reason I asked about the possible use of schiavonas in Scotland is that I have a schiavona purchased in the UK with the motto NE QVID NIMIS (Lat. =Not in excess) written on the blade. I found that some aristocratic families in the UK use that motto, so when I saw Drummond’s illustration I saw the possibility that the schiavona might have been used in Britain. After all, schiavonas were allegedly used not only in Venice/along the coast of the Adriatic Sea. But I note the absence of any aristocratic crest on my schiavona and note the popularity of mottoes of all kinds on European blades 17-18thC, and conclude that my sciavona most likely is Venetian and was previously brought to the UK to be part of a collection. Apologies for pulling this thread in an unintended direction.

E.B. Erickson · 11th June 2020, 02:20 PM

Very interesting early baskethilt!
I have an excavated basket ca.1600-20 that also has the threaded capstan. I'll dig around and see if I can find a photo and post it here.

--ElJay

E.B. Erickson · 12th June 2020, 11:45 AM

Found the photos!

Lee · 18th June 2020, 11:26 AM

Yes, very much the same 'onion' shaped pommel and threaded tang button! How do you attribute this excavated sword?

Also, belatedly, here are photos of the running wolves and seriously rubbed blade decoration.

11th June 2020, 10:27 AM	#1
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 755	Jim, many thanks for your comments. They make perfect sense. The reason I asked about the possible use of schiavonas in Scotland is that I have a schiavona purchased in the UK with the motto NE QVID NIMIS (Lat. =Not in excess) written on the blade. I found that some aristocratic families in the UK use that motto, so when I saw Drummond’s illustration I saw the possibility that the schiavona might have been used in Britain. After all, schiavonas were allegedly used not only in Venice/along the coast of the Adriatic Sea. But I note the absence of any aristocratic crest on my schiavona and note the popularity of mottoes of all kinds on European blades 17-18thC, and conclude that my sciavona most likely is Venetian and was previously brought to the UK to be part of a collection. Apologies for pulling this thread in an unintended direction. Last edited by Victrix; 11th June 2020 at 12:24 PM.

12th June 2020, 11:45 AM	#3
E.B. Erickson Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 61	Found the photos! Attached Images

18th June 2020, 11:26 AM	#4
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 932	Yes, very much the same 'onion' shaped pommel and threaded tang button! How do you attribute this excavated sword? Also, belatedly, here are photos of the running wolves and seriously rubbed blade decoration. Attached Images

11th June 2020, 02:20 PM	#2
E.B. Erickson Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 61	Very interesting early baskethilt! I have an excavated basket ca.1600-20 that also has the threaded capstan. I'll dig around and see if I can find a photo and post it here. --ElJay