Wallachian Swords of the 15th Century: What Types?

Teisani · 24th October 2023, 12:08 PM

For a while now, I have been wondering if the sword at Michael the Brave's side in this depiction is just artistic licence or possibly one of the multiple swords, a man of his status, likely would have owned.

Source: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki...ump-to-license
Mihai Viteazul at Nicopole. Engraving by Ioan Orlandi from Rome. Year 1598.
Name: 072_-_Mihai_Viteazul.jpg
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Name: 072_-_Mihai_Viteazul.jpg
Views: 5446
Size: 317.5 KB

Judging by the creature's-head pommel (likely a lion?), it could be one of these North Italian / South German / Swiss / Austrian sabres that tipically have a lion's head pommel. The spiral shaping on the grip is another nice detail which is found on swords from this period/region and later (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...98&postcount=3). The one thing that doesn't match is the simple cross-guard. Usually these sabres have complex hilts. The simplest one that I could find are these two examples with S-guard. I do not know much about this type of sword, almost nothing really. Could anyone offer some of their expertise on this subject? Do you know if there are any examples with simple cross-guards?

Addendum.
Why would a Wallachian Voivode be depicted with such a sword? It could be his association with Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor. If the depiction is true and not pure fantasy, it might have been a gift from Rudolf to Michael. Who knows?

https://www.christies.com/lot/an-ita...=5699103&lid=1

24th October 2023, 12:08 PM	#27
Teisani Member Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Romania Posts: 314	For a while now, I have been wondering if the sword at Michael the Brave's side in this depiction is just artistic licence or possibly one of the multiple swords, a man of his status, likely would have owned. Source: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki...ump-to-license Mihai Viteazul at Nicopole. Engraving by Ioan Orlandi from Rome. Year 1598. Judging by the creature's-head pommel (likely a lion?), it could be one of these North Italian / South German / Swiss / Austrian sabres that tipically have a lion's head pommel. The spiral shaping on the grip is another nice detail which is found on swords from this period/region and later (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...98&postcount=3). The one thing that doesn't match is the simple cross-guard. Usually these sabres have complex hilts. The simplest one that I could find are these two examples with S-guard. I do not know much about this type of sword, almost nothing really. Could anyone offer some of their expertise on this subject? Do you know if there are any examples with simple cross-guards? Addendum. Why would a Wallachian Voivode be depicted with such a sword? It could be his association with Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor. If the depiction is true and not pure fantasy, it might have been a gift from Rudolf to Michael. Who knows? https://www.christies.com/lot/an-ita...=5699103&lid=1 Attached Images