The (unintentional) artistry of edged weapons

Ian · 6th December 2025, 03:57 AM

The European classics are indeed inspiring. The excellent symmetry of those medieval swords, contrasting wth the curved single-edged weapons coming later. And the highly worked forms of the keris, emphasizing complexity and mystery.

Keep them coming guys!

Rafngard · 6th December 2025, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

The European classics are indeed inspiring. The excellent symmetry of those medieval swords, contrasting with the curved single-edged weapons coming later. And the highly worked forms of the keris, emphasizing complexity and mystery.

Keep them coming guys!

Ian,

I appreciate your contrasting Medieval European swords with Keris. A well-executed Jawa demam hilt is asymmetrical on every axis, and yet fits perfectly in the hand.
It's one of my favorite things.

Thanks,
Leif

Sajen · 6th December 2025, 12:43 PM

Here are a few from my own collection which come to my mind!

A. G. Maisey · 7th December 2025, 11:59 AM

I have understood this thread as one that is directed at the unintentional artistry of edged weapons, rather than the artistry of edged weapons.

Some edged weapons are intended as expressions of art.

Does intent & no intent require separation?

Ian · 7th December 2025, 12:20 PM

Thank you Alan. Good point. My aim for this thread was to talk about weapons that were not intended to be showy or heavily decorated, but ended up having elegance and artistic merit in their standard weapon forms.

Pertinax · 7th December 2025, 01:39 PM

One of my favorite blades

A. G. Maisey · 7th December 2025, 09:03 PM

Thank you Ian, yes, this is more or less how I understood your post that began this thread, & that is an idea that has made it very difficult for me to come to terms with the concepts involved in the actual production of such objects.

It can be quite a journey from the point where the eventual existence of an object is contemplated, to the point where a person looks at the finished object & then considers that he is looking at a work of art.

Such a journey might cross time, as well as cultural & societal boundaries and at its final destination can well be subject to an opinion that has been formed by standards & experience that are vastly different to the standards of a previous time and a different place.

In this Forum we are dealing with sharp pointy things, however what I have just written can apply to the broad range of all things that are, & have been, products of humanity.

Drawing a line of demarcation between the creations of artists, craftsmen and just plain competent tradesmen can be rather difficult, if not impossible:- a competent tradesman in one place & time might be considered to be a talented artist in a different place & time.

The object that we see as a work of art could well have been simply the required standard in a different time & place.

Please forgive me, I do sometimes have the tendency to overthink things a bit too much.

6th December 2025, 12:43 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,465	Here are a few from my own collection which come to my mind! Attached Images

7th December 2025, 01:39 PM	#6
Pertinax Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: City by the Black Sea Posts: 308	One of my favorite blades Attached Images

6th December 2025, 03:57 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,596	The European classics are indeed inspiring. The excellent symmetry of those medieval swords, contrasting wth the curved single-edged weapons coming later. And the highly worked forms of the keris, emphasizing complexity and mystery. Keep them coming guys!

7th December 2025, 11:59 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,127	I have understood this thread as one that is directed at the unintentional artistry of edged weapons, rather than the artistry of edged weapons. Some edged weapons are intended as expressions of art. Does intent & no intent require separation?

7th December 2025, 12:20 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,596	Thank you Alan. Good point. My aim for this thread was to talk about weapons that were not intended to be showy or heavily decorated, but ended up having elegance and artistic merit in their standard weapon forms.

7th December 2025, 09:03 PM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,127	Thank you Ian, yes, this is more or less how I understood your post that began this thread, & that is an idea that has made it very difficult for me to come to terms with the concepts involved in the actual production of such objects. It can be quite a journey from the point where the eventual existence of an object is contemplated, to the point where a person looks at the finished object & then considers that he is looking at a work of art. Such a journey might cross time, as well as cultural & societal boundaries and at its final destination can well be subject to an opinion that has been formed by standards & experience that are vastly different to the standards of a previous time and a different place. In this Forum we are dealing with sharp pointy things, however what I have just written can apply to the broad range of all things that are, & have been, products of humanity. Drawing a line of demarcation between the creations of artists, craftsmen and just plain competent tradesmen can be rather difficult, if not impossible:- a competent tradesman in one place & time might be considered to be a talented artist in a different place & time. The object that we see as a work of art could well have been simply the required standard in a different time & place. Please forgive me, I do sometimes have the tendency to overthink things a bit too much.