Schiavona pommel

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by urbanspaceman

I came across this image and thought I would post it in relation to the eternal question: "is the hole in the pommel meant to attach to the hook on the guard" despite many examples having no hole. Well, this should put a full-stop to that exercise. Of course we now need to know what it was for: a sword knot perhaps?
Also, note the leather wrap around the upper ricasso.
Attachment 245457

This is a great question!! and always exciting to see there are still those of us who ask these things! It seems too many collectors dont think these things worth noticing

The schiavona history is far much more complex and evolutionary than typically realized, and that it was not just used in Venice. This type of hilt with variation of complexity in the trellis style basket guard evolved in the early 17th century.

The example shown from the Ferguson clan of Scotland has a blade dated 1611, clearly a heirloom blade outside the typical period of the hilt. Note the ring, which is to attach the trellis guard to the pommel. The curl at the terminal of the basket near the pommel is a design feature primarily and havent seen one used to hold a ring, interesting idea though.

The connecting ring was not a consistent feature as far as I know, but the idea that it may have become a vestigial thing is interesting.