Italian Storta

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Italian arms makers and armourers were known for their innovation and styling, and highly influenced arms not only throughout Europe, but in many cultural spheres through trade. It is interesting to see the guard system on this which corresponds to Arab sabres (known as 'nimchas') as well as vestigially in the Sinhalese kastane.
Also note the pommel which remarkably resembles those on schiavona with the central boss.

This is an amazing example of the storta, and as noted, it was meant for heavy blows in close quarters,. the marking on the blade too is remarkable. I have always understood that GENOA was often on blades regardless of what city or center had produced it as this was the port where they departed into trade networks.

Excellent example Victrix! and really exciting to see.

Thank you for your kind words, Jim.

Interesting to read about the influence of Italian arms in the Middle East and Ceylon. It seems the influence went both ways. I attach a couple more photos of the top end of the blade near the hilt which is decorated on both sides with lines and [full] moons with stars. There’s also what appears to be a shooting star or perhaps it’s a star with a new moon. This looks oriental to my eyes and Venetians did a lot of trade with the Ottomans and so probably got some cultural influences from there in the process. I think the Ottomans and Persians were also big believers in Astrology. The blade is sharp.

[Reventlov]

Originally Posted by Victrix

There’s also what appears to be a shooting star or perhaps it’s a star with a new moon. This looks oriental to my eyes and Venetians did a lot of trade with the Ottomans and so probably got some cultural influences from there in the process.

The shooting star is, I think, an elaborated variant of the engraved ornament appearing on the ricasso of many type XIX blades. Many of these are Italian (or Italianate), and the ornament first appears in the 14th century. If it was in any way inspired from a non-European style, the transmission occurred very early.

Usually the final detail is simply a point, or small circle, not a star. I can at least share a 16th-century illustration from Spain of buenas espadas antiguas, showing the "shooting star" style.

Thanks for sharing your handsome storta!

Best,

Mark

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by Reventlov

The shooting star is, I think, an elaborated variant of the engraved ornament appearing on the ricasso of many type XIX blades. Many of these are Italian (or Italianate), and the ornament first appears in the 14th century. If it was in any way inspired from a non-European style, the transmission occurred very early.

Usually the final detail is simply a point, or small circle, not a star. I can at least share a 16th-century illustration from Spain of buenas espadas antiguas, showing the "shooting star" style.

Thanks for sharing your handsome storta!

Best,

Mark

Mark, many thanks for sharing that information. I think it puts the decorations on the Storta in context. I assumed the symbols were oriental influence but look to have been used in Italy for centuries before the sword was made.

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you for adding the additional marking note, which is celestial in nature, a moon and star. These kinds of marking were well known on very early Italian swords, and I believe I recall one on the hilt of an Italian sword of this period.

The use of celestial markings on blades by makers or sometimes perhaps as a form of imbuement goes back well into antiquity, and of course there are distinct associations with astrology. While astrology was indeed popularized in Eastern context, it is not necessarily isolated to their use.

Because of the use of the moon and star(s) by the Ottomans, it is often assumed that these symbols indicate that context is specific to them.
Actually these celestial symbols were well known throughout Europe independent of that influence. For example, the Szekely of early Hungarian ancestry were known to have used the celestial theme in their symbology.

I do not have "Armi Bianchi Italiene" (1975) handy at the moment, but I feel certain similar markings are among the detail on Italian markings.
The moon and stars symbols, became well known in Germany as they adopted many markings and inscriptions etc. for their blades and sometimes makers markings.
This does not apply to this storta as it is clearly Italian, and again, IMO a superb example.

Interestingly, the attribution of moon and star markings as 'Turkish' is an often occurring trope in the west is seen in an article in "Man at Arms" magazine (" Revolutionary War Swords with Crescent and Star Blades"). A number of swords with markings comprised of these symbols are described as 'Turkish', when in fact these are actually German blades, and variations of these celestial elements.
In Kinman (2015, p.133) this exact marking is seen deeply punched on blades of two German broadswords c. 1530, so the early Italian source for the German markings is suggested.

* Mark, just saw your post as I entered this, very well noted! It is worthy of note that Italian observance of celestial phenomenon gave us the Tarot cards with their notable use of these kinds of depictions.

[Radboud]

That's a great-looking sword Victrix!

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by Radboud

That's a great-looking sword Victrix!

Thank you for your kind comment.

I attach a picture again (for all) which shows the spine of the sword and how it disappears into the false edge. As you can see the spine is quite thick. Strong sword. Feels great in hand.

[M ELEY]

What a beautiful and fascinating sword, Victrix! I am green with envy! I know it is a little bit of a stretch to say your sword could also have a maritime connection, but the buccaneers of the 17th century very much favored short hangers, falcions, dussages and Sinclaire sabers. In Exquamillon's book on pirates, there are many contemporary sketches of the sea rovers with similar short, stocky bladed swords with shell guards (see also Gilkerson for shellguard maritime swords). In any case, an amazing sword!

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

What a beautiful and fascinating sword, Victrix! I am green with envy! I know it is a little bit of a stretch to say your sword could also have a maritime connection, but the buccaneers of the 17th century very much favored short hangers, falcions, dussages and Sinclaire sabers. In Exquamillon's book on pirates, there are many contemporary sketches of the sea rovers with similar short, stocky bladed swords with shell guards (see also Gilkerson for shellguard maritime swords). In any case, an amazing sword!

Thank you for your kind words and pictures. Yes I understand Italian Stortas were used onboard ships and galleys. It’s possible that some may have found their way to other continents. There was also piracy in the Mediterranean so pirates may well have used Stortas.

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you for the kind words Victrix!

As Mark notes, these were closely related to the European dusagge (and variations dubbed 'Sinclair' sabers) and the Italian storta was certainly a key influence. Italian weapons and styles were often notably copied in other European arms making centers.

Italian trade was also prevalent in many primary trade routes and sectors, so the transference of these weapons into other contexts was not only possible,but likely. Many Spanish arms of the 'conquistadors' of this period and later were actually Italian either in make or design. However in their case it was the rapiers, armor and helmets most prevalent.

The extended shell guard on this storta is compelling, and as seen, resembles the type of guard on the sword held in this popular illustration. The 'cutlass' was not necessarily made distinctly as a 'cutlass' but any shorter, stout bladed sword would easily serve in that capacity.

It seems that in some references, I have seen that pirates in some cases may have even referred to their swords colloquially as, 'their shell'.

Piracy was indeed well known in the Mediterranean, and the corsairs ranged in wider scope than often realized.

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Thank you for adding the additional marking note, which is celestial in nature, a moon and star. These kinds of marking were well known on very early Italian swords, and I believe I recall one on the hilt of an Italian sword of this period.

The use of celestial markings on blades by makers or sometimes perhaps as a form of imbuement goes back well into antiquity, and of course there are distinct associations with astrology. While astrology was indeed popularized in Eastern context, it is not necessarily isolated to their use.

Because of the use of the moon and star(s) by the Ottomans, it is often assumed that these symbols indicate that context is specific to them.
Actually these celestial symbols were well known throughout Europe independent of that influence. For example, the Szekely of early Hungarian ancestry were known to have used the celestial theme in their symbology.

I do not have "Armi Bianchi Italiene" (1975) handy at the moment, but I feel certain similar markings are among the detail on Italian markings.
The moon and stars symbols, became well known in Germany as they adopted many markings and inscriptions etc. for their blades and sometimes makers markings.
This does not apply to this storta as it is clearly Italian, and again, IMO a superb example.

Interestingly, the attribution of moon and star markings as 'Turkish' is an often occurring trope in the west is seen in an article in "Man at Arms" magazine (" Revolutionary War Swords with Crescent and Star Blades"). A number of swords with markings comprised of these symbols are described as 'Turkish', when in fact these are actually German blades, and variations of these celestial elements.
In Kinman (2015, p.133) this exact marking is seen deeply punched on blades of two German broadswords c. 1530, so the early Italian source for the German markings is suggested.

* Mark, just saw your post as I entered this, very well noted! It is worthy of note that Italian observance of celestial phenomenon gave us the Tarot cards with their notable use of these kinds of depictions.

Yes, point taken Jim! Thank you for sharing your encyclopedic knowledge on swords.