Well noted Ausjulius,
The sword hilts fashioned in Japanese style in those alloys were termed 'shakudo' as described in Aylward (1945). I do believe that Chinese craftsmen were also brought into Polish workshops, I think Lvov, but need to find the reference (perhaps Ostrolski). Absolutely right, the European fascination with weapons exotica was prevalent in 17th and 18th centuries via the trade networks of the East Indies companies.
|