Greetings,
Thanks to Russ at Tritonworks, I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to provide the metal bits for this unusual sword.
The Doge, the Chief Magistrate for the city of Venice was a rich and powerful man. I have been thinking about this sword for quite some time, both from a design perspective and to solve the issue with this A-typical Guard.
Albion did a fantastic job on this sword, and to me it just screams Royalty.
I have been working with Gothic arches and scrollwork pretty much non stop in an effort to pull off the vision I have for this unique sword.
Jean has been great and has pretty much given me artistic freedom to do as I will. He has opted to go with bronzed copper with heavy Patina with slight polish to the high areas.
Here are the rough, and I do mean Rough, (sculpting comes easier than drawing for me) drawings of the Locket and Chape as I see them in my minds eye. The scrollwork will get more intricate as I carve this and there will be subtle, hopefully better differences in the finished design.
I tied in Jean's wolf as well as the Lion of St Mark, the true mark of the Household of the Doge.
What do you think Jean?
Everyone else please feel free to add comments, suggestions. I am on Vacation and will be focused on completing this work pretty quickly. So more updates and pictures to follow shortly...

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Yes, it looks like it's going to be amazing ! Sam is doing a great job including design elements I suggested I would like but I left him free to work out the details, and my suggestions where given exactly as suggestions and not as requirements.

From the work I have seen him do on his shield projects I can sort of imagine that the drawings are just an indication of how nicely these fittings will complements Russ's scabbard and the Doge itself. :D :cool:

Sort of takes the " pain " out of waiting for the scabbard to be finished and the sword delivered watching the progress of these designs in the near future. ;) :cool:

Big thanks to Russ and Sam for making my scabbard the first, I think/hope, of many future design collaborations.

All sorts of other possibilities come to mind as Sam could do other " historical or fantasy " metal work for costume or weapons/armour/scabbard stuff: Shield bosses, trim to helms or armour, plaque belts etc ........ many things to enhance or decorated various custom projects.

Just imagining " possibilities ". ;) :D

Jean,
Thats very true. Sometimes being a very literal person makes me think in absolutes. The Doge could be any of those things. Albion mentions that the sword is based on swords of the republic of Venice and not a specific example.
It's fun to think about who and when and where. I think thats one of the most compelling parts of collecting, and I have no problem daydreaming I am designing ornate metalwork for a wealthy Duke or Knight for hire.
I know that sounds nutty, but it gets me through :eek:

Happy independence Day weekend to all the fine folks out there.
Sam

I have an update, but not yet complete version of Jean's details. There are some patina and various finish issues I am still working on, so try to ignore the small flaws. I hope to get some pictures with the completed scabbard once I get my hands on the core.
This is not based on a specific example, but based on the feel of Venetian Art of the period. I will label it as Art as not to offend any of my fellow forumites. I realize this is the second "Arch" inspired detail I have done, dont worry Its the last...
Anyways, feel free to comment, throw poop at me, give suggestions....
Thanks
Sam

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Well, no " POO THROWING " from the owner of the Doge. :p :lol: :cool:

I know that you explained some of the technology used by you when making your shields ( Low relief sculpture reproductions of period shields ), but maybe you can recap the process of making the chape and throat and the applied decorations.

The results look great and the wolf on the chape looks very lifelike and cool. :D

Hi Jean,
Thanks :)
These custom works are really different than the Armour Reproductions. For those, I have to do some hand sculpting on them but they are basically exact reproductions of period peices, much like a Museum Copy.

For the custom work I draw (I use that term loosely) the design, and then hand cut and engrave the whole detail in wax much like everything else that is cast these days. My process is a little different, but in the end you end up with a solid metal object that is thin enough to be used for these type of details.
It really is alot of fun doing the custom work.
Sam

Gang,
Sorry for the poo reference. Just kidding. Im in a strange mood today, hope that didnt offend anyone :blush:

Mr. Thibodeau I would be green with envy just over the Doge alone. Coupled with workmanship like whats displayed in the pictures posted so far Grats is all I can think of. You are going to have quite a combo when it's finished. Look forward to seeing some pictures of sword & scabbard together when it happens.

Jean and Russ,
I am putting these puppies in a box this week. I learned some key processes moving forward, Like if you heat copper up too much past 2000 degrees C it will melt and there goes a weeks work.....
Jean and Russ have been great through the delays and I appreciate their candor. Its been a tough summer full of personal and proffesional challenges, and I for one am glad its over.

I know I said I was stearing away from the gothic but Im not so sure I can. I have some crazy ideas for some scabbard details moving forward.

Thanks for any feedback, comments...

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Looks great Sam! As soon as those are in hand we are going to try to turn Jean's scabbard (and the other one) around lickety split. I'll of course be posting pictures of the finished products and the two Doges.

Thanks Russ, they are going out tomorrow.

Thanks Jean! This was something really different from what I have been working on so far. I am always trying to push my skill level with each project. You were great to work with and I look forward to some more interesting projects in the future.

Jeremiah,
I would be honored to work on your scabbard someday. I really appreciate the nice comments, as I spent a retarded amount of time and effort on these.


I always appreciate the fine works I see posted from the top makers and cutlers on the site. I know how much time and skill (and a bit of magic pixie dust) it takes to pull off the work.

Lately, I am just blown away at the works by known masters and even the new kids on the block as well. It almost feels like its some kind of creative renaissance happening in the arms and armour community.


Sam

Jean,
Russ probably has these now, and is working on your scabbard. I took this picture before sending them on thier way.
I need to set up a better photo station, at least these are on a background (The green grass is kind of soothing though). As challenging as it was finishing these I sure learned alot. Thanks so much for the opportunity to work on this with you.

Sam

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Sam -

Excellent work! Thanks very much for sharing. I can't wait to see the finished scabbard.

Best,

Matt