Hi All,

This is sword scabbard made for a clients sword.

In the late 14th to mid 15thC, very complicated sword scabbard fittings became the thing to have for knights scabbards and this version is inspired by one shown in a Graham Turner painting and the design was modified by the client and here we are.

The fittings are all in brass and are fabricated piece by piece. The original had split belts going to the top scabbard and this has only a single belt and uses a set of my 15thC sword belt fittings.

The core is poplar and covered in vegtan leather with stamped decoration. As is the norm for this period only the top parts of the scabbard are decorated.

This fitting set does look a little space age or indeed art nouveau but this does pretty much follow the forms of the time and indeed there is a very similar one on an effigy in the church in the next village that Iwill make a copy of for my fittings page at some point.

I hope you like it.

Tod

---

 Attachment: 116.71 KB



 Attachment: 173.98 KB



 Attachment: 184.69 KB



 Attachment: 160.56 KB



 Attachment: 163.88 KB



 Attachment: 120.71 KB



 Attachment: 122.32 KB



 Attachment: 91.7 KB

I think it's bloody amazing Tod...

Now that you mention art nouveau, there is indeed a mild flair of that but to me it looks bang on period. I had been intrigued by these rectangular-ish mountings (throats and lockets) on effigies. It's fantastic to see someone tackle a repro, and so utterly succeed.

One question: the extensions on the side of the throat, where the straps are attached, is that documented somewhere?

Geee that's the second scabbard of you that is the spit image of an effigy example, with elaborate metal mountings (I'm thinking of the prince scabbard you did for Soren a while back). That's unique on the reproduction market.

You are miles ahead Tod.

Cheers,

J

ps: the black dye borders are a very nice touch on the main belt. Duly noted :)
ps2: are you thinking of offering full sets of these mountings through Tod's foundry one of these days? These appear to be thick enough to be cast.
ps3: who made the sword? it looks great also, very nice details on the guard!

That is amazing...truly a work of art.

Mmmmmmm... <eyes light up> :D

That is an excellent result. The detail and design are spot on! Your execution is its usual awesome quality and feel. The appreciation for the fittings and accoutrements in the market is so far beyond what it used to be even 10 - 15 years ago. Its inspiring to see you bring these types of elements to fruition and to see clients excited about going to these levels of design. Great job my friend!

Craig

My two-handed claymore would love to have a suit like that ! Gorgeous work....simply gorgeous!.....McM

Art Nouveau was strongly engaged with the medieval aesthetic.

As for the projections on the locket, Graham Turner has an illustrated reconstruction of those in the Osprey book on the English Medieval Knight. The illustration is based on a memorial effigy of Sir Robert Harcourt (d. 1471). I can't find a clear shot of that effigy, unfortunately.

Wow, thanks very much guys, I really appreciate it; thanks also to Craig, Sean and Julien who make lovely scabbards of their own.

Julien Messenge wrote

Quote:

One question: the extensions on the side of the throat, where the straps are attached, is that documented somewhere?

Sean Flynt wrote

Quote:

As for the projections on the locket, Graham Turner has an illustrated reconstruction of those in the Osprey book on the English Medieval Knight. The illustration is based on a memorial effigy of Sir Robert Harcourt (d. 1471). I can't find a clear shot of that effigy, unfortunately.

Tod wrote

Quote:

This fitting set does look a little space age or indeed art nouveau but this does pretty much follow the forms of the time and indeed there is a very similar one on an effigy in the church in the next village that I will make a copy of for my fittings page at some point.

The puzzle all fits. Sean, my next door village is Stanton Harcourt where the effigy in question is, I just didn't actually realise that Graham Turner based his illustration on that one. I have some photos of it somewhere and will try to dig them out, but anyway I may have to make the 2 mile trip to the church and check it out again now I have experience of making a set like this.

The Crypt where the effigy is, is kept locked and William Gascoigne the current lord, controls access and he is away a lot but I will try and get back in.

Tod

Hello,

I'm the customer who ordered the scabbard.

Here the design inspirated by the illustration from Graham Turner I gave to Leo Todeschini.
I must confess that I'm a great fan of pre-raphaelite painters and also of the Art Nouveau move from Nancy, this could explain some of the retakes I wanted compared to the original design.


https://scontent-b-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31.0-8/10368833_798158853537102_496899279936551797_o.jpg

Here photos of the sword, made by the french Bladesmith Gaël Farge:


https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t31.0-8/1606409_748216785197976_1872268394_o.jpg

And here the designs I gave him.


https://scontent-a-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/t31.0-8/177337_522515174434806_1356387491_o.jpg


https://scontent-a-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31.0-8/977318_700104986675823_396984793_o.jpg

Thanks for your nice comments about the beautiful work done by Leo.

Salut Vivien,

Well if Gael made this sword I'm not surprised it caught my eye. I've seen his work up close on many occasions. He's a fine chap and a very talented smith.

Very nice and thorough design, nice work there too, well worth a look!

Cheers,

J

I would agree with both Julien and Vivien-Laur, Gael is a very nice and talented guy.

Thanks for the work Vivien-Laur, it was a great commission to execute and one I hope to have another go at soon.

Tod

Very nice scabbard Tod......and very nice sword.

...........if only more customers would provide such clear design ideas....<sigh>

Well done -everybody- :-)

Thanks again guys - I really appreciate the kind words.

I have some pictures of the Harcourt effigy top fitting.

Weird sword pommel

Tod

---

 Attachment: 139.24 KB



 Attachment: 101.49 KB