Arms and Armor in the works of Albrecht Dürer

[shayde78]

This one is called "The Small Courier" from 1496. The head of the Courier is thought to be another representation of the face on the fellow to the right of the work in the previous post.

[shayde78]

This one is called, "The Cook and His Wife" from 1496.

I like seeing images of the more mundane utility knives (like the one at the cook's waist), and feel they can help distinguish between these and more elaborate forms from the same period.

[shayde78]

This is titled "Oriental* Family", from 1496.
The bow, when compared to those of Europe at the time, seems to well reflect a bow from the East.


*I use the title of the work, acknowledging that the use of the word 'Oriental' to describe a person/people is offensive

[shayde78]

This one is titled, "Rustic Couple" dated 1497.
Some have interpreted this as an intoxicated Lansquenet menacing either his wife or another woman. I'm curious if the hilt of his knife indicates a knightly class, or a more humble station.

[shayde78]

"Three Peasants in Conversation", dated 1497.

Note the hilt in the belt on the right is similar to the previous image. Also, the use of a sword as a cane was a satirical trope of the period. The tattered appearance of the sheath likely indicates some level of disdain. Also, a 'peasant' wearing spurs may indicate a man who fancies himself 'above his station' in a rigidly stratified society. Or, I could simply be unaware that peasant would have occasion to wear spurs.

[shayde78]

"Lady on Horseback and Lansquenet", 1497

Nice halberd and sword hilt visible. Also, good representation of an ostrich feather, which adorned the helms of knights of the era, here atop the young lady's head.

[Philip]

Originally Posted by shayde78

"Lady on Horseback and Lansquenet", 1497

Nice halberd and sword hilt visible. Also, good representation of an ostrich feather, which adorned the helms of knights of the era, here atop the young lady's head.

There must have been quite a trade in ostrich feathers in those days. All the way from Africa -- the well-to-do have throughout history managed to get their hands on imported luxuries from afar, whether they be porcelains from China or peppercorns and cloves from India.

Dürer's works are an invaluable documentary source for the arms and costume of his time. The profile of the halberd's ax blade, along with the protruding flanges flanking the pointed beak, clearly match the styles catalogued by Ewart Oakeshott as falling within the period 1450-1520, closely approximating the artist's lifespan. See Oakeshott's European Weapons and Armour pp 46-48 for an illustration of the weapon's evolution and of its principal regional styles in the South German / Swiss / northern Italian territories.

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by shayde78

This is titled "Oriental* Family", from 1496.
The bow, when compared to those of Europe at the time, seems to well reflect a bow from the East.


*I use the title of the work, acknowledging that the use of the word 'Oriental' to describe a person/people is offensive

Why ”offensive” to describe someone as oriental??

It’s interesting that he came in contact with people from the Orient at that time, when traveling was so ardous and fraught with danger. Presumably it was from his time in Italy. It’s my impression that people traveled more in old days than imagined!

He’s a great artist showing details in a realistic way.

[shayde78]

Originally Posted by Victrix

Why ”offensive” to describe someone as oriental??

Good question - I have received pretty universal feedback from folks who are Asian that 'oriental' should be used to refer to objects (arms, carpets, etc.), while people should be referred to as 'Asian', or more specifically, to the region and/or country being referenced (i.e. Persian, South Asian, etc.).

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by shayde78

Good question - I have received pretty universal feedback from folks who are Asian that 'oriental' should be used to refer to objects (arms, carpets, etc.), while people should be referred to as 'Asian', or more specifically, to the region and/or country being referenced (i.e. Persian, South Asian, etc.).

Thank you for alerting me to this. I looked into it and it may be more of a US specific issue.

Orient comes from Latin Oriens which is ”rising” and means East (where the sun rises). The point of reference for ancient Romans of course was the City of Rome. The opposite of orient is occident which means West in Latin.

In the US apparently the word oriental was considered to be a racial and derogatory term in the 1970s (perhaps due to the Vietnam war?) and its use has been phased out.

The word oriental in Europe has perhaps become a bit imprecise as it now includes the Middle East and all of Asia, but the word is hardly considered derogatory. As example can be mentioned the prestigeous School of African and Oriental Studies in London (SOAS).

[Philip]

Originally Posted by Victrix

The word oriental in Europe has perhaps become a bit imprecise as it now includes the Middle East and all of Asia, but the word is hardly considered derogatory. As example can be mentioned the prestigeous School of African and Oriental Studies in London (SOAS).

Usage as a geographic and cultural identifier has indeed been rather loosey-goosey depending on place, time, and individual. For a long time in Europe and Britain, "Oriental" seems to have been primarily associated with the Middle East and India, and "the Far East" to the rest of Asia. Some auctions still categorize their lots using this approach. Kilijs and kulah-khuds being Oriental arms, whereas keris, katanas, and dhas being Far Eastern / Fernost, Extrême-Orient. In the US, I've noted that the term Oriental, in the popular conception, is most associated with the Far East and the term is still accepted among the expat Korean and Filipino communities here.

Note that Robert Hales' lavish picture book, his career retrospective, is entitled Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour: A Lifetime's Passion. Nothing wrong with covering all the bases.

[Philip]

Originally Posted by Victrix

In the US apparently the word oriental was considered to be a racial and derogatory term in the 1970s (perhaps due to the Vietnam war?) and its use has been phased out.
.

Interesting to note the changing fashions in some ethnic labels in American English usage. In the 19th cent., the term "Dutchman" was often applied to Germans (who after all hailed from Deutschland), and it became a somewhat pejorative term.

For most of our history, African Americans were officially labeled Negroes (from Latin niger, "black" ) but aside from continuing usage in reference to Negro spirituals (songs) and the former Negro League (baseball) it has fallen out of general usage due to its phonetic similarity with its repugnant derivative. However, the term Negro is still used in common speech, along with Black, in Europe and the UK perhaps because of differing historical realities. I don't know anyone from across the pond who uses the term "African-American".

As I noted in another post, the term Oriental has not been universally condemned in US Asian communities. It's still used among Asians in Hawaii, and to identify products and organizations (including churches) among Korean and Filipino immigrant communities. However, some "progressively minded" people do bristle... I recall one ChineseAmerican female author, during an interview, indignantly blurt out "...well, I am NOT a carpet!" PC can be a minefield...

[shayde78]

Originally Posted by Victrix

It’s interesting that he came in contact with people from the Orient at that time, when traveling was so ardous and fraught with danger. Presumably it was from his time in Italy. It’s my impression that people traveled more in old days than imagined!

He’s a great artist showing details in a realistic way.

I agree that the large cities in Europe (especially the Mediterranean) likely saw residents and visitors from many regions. Warfare also brought people into contact with one another. Travel was how commerce was transacted, so there was a great deal more travel than we tend to consider. It wasn't cheap or safe, but it happened.

[shayde78]

"Young Couple Threatened by Death", 1498

Almost a hanger-like style. I believe there is meant to be a spirit of ease portrayed by the young couple, unaware, as youth often is, that death stalks everyone. If this was indeed the intent, then the choice of sword represented could be intentionally one that would have been worn with civilian dress at times when no threat was expected, but was still prepared for. Similar to the so called 'pillow swords' of later eras. I admit, I take a lot of leaps with my interpretation of this one.

[shayde78]

"The Sea Monster", 1498.

I included this one as the figure on the far shore has a sword at his waist. There isn't much detail here, but I am trying to include all the works that portray a weapon of some type. The sword looks like a shamshir, but again, detail isn't great.