Hi David,
I wouldn't necessarily say that organic hilted blades show poor craftsmanship. The organic hilt, and somewhat plain ones at that, are pretty much "industry standard" at this time, and of course we see lots of quite "plain" forms. The early Iron age seems to not be uncommon to have predominantly organic hilts---so I don't think organic versus more substantial mettallic portions reflects a lack of skill?
BUT, taking this pic in order...
The first fromt he left is, IMO a rather poor reconstruction of the Lisnacrogher hilt. This is from Rynne's article...I also think he did it a bit off...I think the "U" shaped plate is meant to either cradle an inset spheroid---like the "pregnant egg" pommels, or it may set off a middle lobe in some form of trilobate pommel, or it may be something in between these types.
The middle picture is of the wooden Ballkilmurray sword, rendered even more crudley than the original appears. Since this is a wooden model, it may not be as flash in fit and finish as the real item it is meant to represent.
The third sword is one oft he grouo which Raftery calls "type B" hilts, the all---organic with no metal fittings at all. I have read at least 2 theories on these. One is that these are a good bit later, from 1st-3rd centuries AD and thus are somewhat "atrophied" from the original La Tene and Roman predecessors. Another explanation (I think Raftery may have suggested this---don't recall right now) is that these were indeed the "poor man's" copies of nicer hilted swords like the Lisnacrogher blades would have been.
As to the Lisnacrogher, and other swords with long-since decayed organic hilts, I firmly beleive the organic components would have been rendered with as much skill and aesthetic balance as the metal components. In the metallic components, you see subtle texturing and detailing of the surfaces even on the spacers and guard plates. Texturing and cross-hatching could well have been used to great effect across the organic surfaces. And this is not to discount the possibility of colorful staining, dying, painting and even burning of the organic components to acheive great visual appeal. Besides surface coloration, delicate incising in patterns could have been done. Further, the material themselves could have been carved in a variant of the "plastic" style, perhaps, in the "higher-end" swords like the Lisnacrogher blades. The organic materials themselves could have been slected for their visual effect as well---similar to how burl wood is often used on modern customs knives. "Tooth" and "white-hilted" is often used as a descriptor of hilts in the Irish sagas, so we could have seen the use of semi-precious material such as ivory, again possibly artisitcally stained engraved, incisised "scrim-shawed", etc.
I guess in summary I would have to say that one needn't look for hilts that are more predominantly mettallic to imagine very chieftainly hiltwork, and significantly pleasing artistic effect acheived via organic media.
David McElrea wrote: |
Hi all,
Another question regarding Irish hilt-work. A cursory glance at surviving organic hilts seems to suggest somewhat poor craftsmanship (to my eyes anyway)-- see the first pic below as an illustration of this point. My questions may be unanswerable at this particular time, but...
The examples we have are few (which is to be expected as the hilts were frequently organic)-- is it likely that only the more "common" swords have been discovered? Is it possible that we are seeing swords who were hilted by their owners rather than by cutlers?
The anthropomorphic hilt is not unknown in Ireland, but I am not as interested in that style (these are thought to be imports, anyway, I think). Are there any other swords with non-organic fittings that I am missing here? If so, I would love to see some photos.
My reason for asking grows out of a deep appreciation for the skill found in nearly every other Irish artform as far back as the Bronze Age (or even Neolithic times-- see the Knowth mace head as an example). It seems strange that so little attention would be given to a high status weapon when it is evidenced everywhere else! I will also attach a picture of an Iron-Age bronze scabbard found in Ireland( which is representative of a number that have been found)-- it is strange to see them together with the hilts already mentioned.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
David |