George III Dragon-Head Spadroon

[Akanthus]

Here another example of a Dragon ( Monster) head from an english? hanger.I would date it around 1700.Certainly it has a hunting sword or short side arm background.The Dragon is a symbol for strength,might and wisdom in the time of baroque.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Akanthus

Here another example of a Dragon ( Monster) head from an english? hanger.I would date it around 1700.Certainly it has a hunting sword or short side arm background.The Dragon is a symbol for strength,might and wisdom in the time of baroque.

Picture please

[Akanthus]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Picture please

Had problems with the pictures and was not quick enough

[Richard G]

"Here another example of a Dragon ( Monster) head from an english? hanger.I would date it around 1700.Certainly it has a hunting sword or short side arm background.The Dragon is a symbol for strength,might and wisdom in the time of baroque."

If it's a hunting hangar, which it is, it could easily be the head of a hunting hound.
Best wishes
Richard

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Akanthus

Had problems with the pictures and was not quick enough

thank you! OUTSTANDING example and remarkably similar.

[Radboud]

What a lovely sword Jerseyman, I agree with you that it’s 18th Century my vote would be for the mid 1700s. It might be early 19th Century, but going by the style of the hilt I personally doubt it, typically at the late stage of the century we see the urn and cushion pommels.

To my eye the hilt on your sword looks like a cross between a spadroon and smallsword with that pommel. Does the blade have any decorations? There is always the possibility that it belonged to a gentleman than a military officer.

[M ELEY]

Hello, sorry to come in late on this one. What a great spadroon! Very nice form! Most of the others have filled in a lot of the blanks already (obviously a spadroon, mid to late 18th), but I was wondering if there is any chance this might not be an English example, but Dutch?

The Dutch used spadroons like the English, even supplying their officers with models in the early 19th. The shagreen/rayskin wrapped hilt were also seen in the Dutch market and when you consider the dragon motiff, there could be a possile Ceylonese connection, as the Dutch were much taken by the 'oriental styling' (see European Swords/Anthony North, pg 30, specifically example 63 with a dragon motiff to the knuckle bow nearest the grip end). Just guessing here, so no shade if I'm off base!

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

Hello, sorry to come in late on this one. What a great spadroon! Very nice form! Most of the others have filled in a lot of the blanks already (obviously a spadroon, mid to late 18th), but I was wondering if there is any chance this might not be an English example, but Dutch?

The Dutch used spadroons like the English, even supplying their officers with models in the early 19th. The shagreen/rayskin wrapped hilt were also seen in the Dutch market and when you consider the dragon motiff, there could be a possile Ceylonese connection, as the Dutch were much taken by the 'oriental styling' (see European Swords/Anthony North, pg 30, specifically example 63 with a dragon motiff to the knuckle bow nearest the grip end). Just guessing here, so no shade if I'm off base!

m

Excellent suggestion Capn!!!
The Dutch and English examples in swords ran remarkably close, as per Aylward (1945) with the connections via monarchy, trade etc. As you note, those 'monster' heads were of course well known in England, and the English were well acquainted with the Sinhalese kastane which of course carried these makara and yali zoomorphics.