Another sword; another challenge

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Victrix

I think I’ve seen that lattice and plume pattern on Hungarian blades. The blade is for a sabre yet it’s attached to a Spanish bilbo hilt. Maybe the blade even has a false edge at the backside end of the tip?

This is SPOT ON!
That style of blade decoration is indeed well known in Eastern Europe, and most notably on Hungarian blades, where I believe it may have to do with these kinds of occult esoterica known as 'the Transylvanian knot'. While exactly which device or motif this applies to, the entwined lattice type decoration may well pertain to a 'knot' in effect, perhaps referring to the esoteric decoration collectively.

Fernando, totally agree with the skeptical reference, and as always with spuriously applied devices and marks, pretty much anything is possible.

[Interested Party]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

I believe it may have to do with these kinds of occult esoterica known as 'the Transylvanian knot'. While exactly which device or motif this applies to, the entwined lattice type decoration may well pertain to a 'knot' in effect, perhaps referring to the esoteric decoration collectively.

Back in university while researching something else I remember reading about knotwork being protection spells in western Europe. I am sorry that I have absolutely no recollection of the source.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Interested Party

Back in university while researching something else I remember reading about knotwork being protection spells in western Europe. I am sorry that I have absolutely no recollection of the source.

A pity !

[werecow]

Is it me or does the grip resemble the ones found on later Espada de Ceñir, rather than either Bilbao / Boca de Caballo swords or Hungarian sabers?

[fernando]

Originally Posted by werecow

Is it me or does the grip resemble the ones found on later Espada de Ceñir, rather than either Bilbao / Boca de Caballo swords or Hungarian sabers?

I take it that, the grip alone is rather common in Spanish (even Iberian) swords in general, cup hilts and all, made in turned wood. The Hungarian approach, being or not plausible, refers only to the blade.

[fernando]

Curiously, the description of the example shown of "Espada de Ceñir" mentions that its ebony grip should be adorned with golden (twine) wire, which is absent in this example

" puño en madera de ébano gallonado y torzal dorado, ausente en este ejemplar".