Ornamentation: Fantasy vs. History -- myArmoury.com

Michele Hansen · Posted: Mon 02 Aug, 2010 5:20 pm Post subject:

I viewed the posts in this thread, and saw beautiful examples of swords/rapiers, etc. through history. I feel there is a direct correlation between artistic/architectural elements, and the ornateness of weaponry in each era. Attached is an image of the statue of Margrave Ekkehard, and his wife on the West portal of Naumburg Cathedral in Saxony (sculpted C. 1250). This single-hand blade is a prime example of the "elegance of simplicity", seen in the 13th C. vaulting of the cathedral's interior, the marriage of function and design. What impresses me most, is the mass of the pommel. Imagine the force, fed by rage, Ekkehard could achieve when his non-sword hand grabbed it for a two-handed thrust through the mail shirt of an enemy!

Close study reveals hints that both pommel and cross-guard were metal-worked, and probably bejeweled. The artistry of the scabbard, clasps, belts, etc. make it likely his sword had no less attention given to ornamentation. Though he was not depicted in harness, this sword was clearly symbolic of his rank, and likely the finest in his collection. In addition, note the size of his kite shield. The addition of poudrons, knee cops, etc. were beginning to alter the need for the great shields used by Crusader Knights of the prior century.

Edit: I'm adding a quote from Kirk Lee Spencer's reply to Nathan Robinson (Page 2 of this thread.) "The same dizzying overly encrusted decoration we see on most] [swords can also be seen in the architecture and visual arts of this time period (High Renaissance to Rococo). evidently during the high Renaissance a sensibility developed, and was passed through culture, that this "visual attention deficit disorder "was not silly but the very pentacle of perfection." Kirk's, and Nathan's comments infer the same reasoning as my above comparison of the Margrave's sword, and the vaulting of the cathedral where he and his wife are memorialized. Thanks guys! You gentlemen must have studied Art History as I have. Razz

Bartek Strojek · Posted: Wed 15 Sep, 2010 6:45 am Post subject:

Consecrated sword of Jan III Sobieski.

Dated at 1675 - 76, given to Jan III as " sigh of gratitude for defending the Christianity" or something like that.

Looks very interesting, maybe I will find some better pictures later.

Picture from Wawel Museum site.

Simon G. · Posted: Sun 03 Apr, 2011 2:58 pm Post subject:

Very interesting thread!

Bit of a thread resurrect to post this sword I've just stumbled upon in the Wallace:

(c. 1540- c. 1650 (blade (German)), c. 1630 - 1650 (hilt))

The hilt is ornate enough on its own, but what really amazes me is the extensive (and detailed) rural village scene etched on the blade...

Cheers

Simon

Simon G. · Posted: Mon 11 Apr, 2011 1:50 pm Post subject:

Another one which I don't think was posted before... The sword of Louis the 13th, king of France (dated 1614). Currently held by the Musée de l'Armée in Paris.

As you can see it bears the portraits of the previous kings of France... On the first pic are "Henricus Magnus" (Henri the Fourth, Louis the 13th's father), "Carolus" (most probably Carolus Magnus), "Henri III", and (I think) "Franciscus II".

A neat idea, combining sword and family tree... Most logical for a king.

Pamela Muir · Posted: Mon 11 Apr, 2011 5:41 pm Post subject:

Hello Simon,

That is a fantastic sword. Do you by chance have any images that include a full close up of the blade? If so, would you mind posting them on the Rosarial Swords thread? The markings on the blade look like the ones we are trying to research by collecting images and data.

Simon G. · Posted: Mon 11 Apr, 2011 5:52 pm Post subject:

Hi Pamela, and thanks for the interest !

All these photos come from the photographic database of the RMN : http://www.photo.rmn.fr

Alas there are no close-ups of the blade there... The sword is on display in Paris, your best bet would probably be to get someone to photograph it for you!

I don't have any trip to Paris planned at the moment but I really should go visit the Musée de l'Armée once more one of these days... If I do I'll be sure to take a pic.

Pamela Muir · Posted: Mon 11 Apr, 2011 5:58 pm Post subject:

Simon, Thank you for the photo link, it is much appreciated! Sadly, I don't believe I will be going to Paris anytime soon. Again, beautiful sword!

A. Spanjer · Posted: Tue 12 Apr, 2011 5:40 am Post subject:

Simon, that is an amazing sword.

Do you know what the portraits are made of?

Simon G. · Posted: Tue 12 Apr, 2011 5:16 pm Post subject:

Simon G. · Posted: Sat 16 Apr, 2011 7:30 pm Post subject:

This thread must live! It craves fresh posts! Razz

I'll feed it another French regal sword, that of Francis the 1st, which for some reason has its own article on the french Wikipedia ( http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89p%C3%A9e_de_Fran%C3%A7ois_1er ). It is dated ca. 1510-1515.

I quite like Louis the 13th's sword, but I find that one quite gaudy, especially the quillons. The pommel is a bit overdone too...

(high-res pic at http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons...is_1er.JPG )

(The RMN website seems to experience problems, so I'll post more pics later).

Simon G. · Posted: Sat 16 Apr, 2011 7:48 pm Post subject:

And yet another one... The sword of Henri the Fourth, a wedding gift from the city of Paris. Dated 1600 ; steel, gold and mother-of-pearl.

A pretty good gift, especially considering the scabbard. We haven't seen many ornamented scabbards in this thread, but maybe this one will start a trend?

Phillip Nussle · Posted: Sun 17 Apr, 2011 8:51 am Post subject:

Craftsmanship is definitely the word here. As mentioned above at a time when carrying a sword was more to do with fashion and dress became somewhat an effeminate affair in Europe. The rise to more ornate metalwork to keep up with the trend lent more toward the jeweller as hilt-maker rather than the smith. That I believe is the main dividing line. Most of us I suppose associate the austerity of line and total practicality of the sword of war with a sort of male romanticism. Any embellishments at that period were generally funerary. I will say, thankfully, that the skills required to produce works of art in metal are not dead, though certainly not cheap, and that in my day, some forty years ago, a sword smith was only a surname. Wink

Robert A · Posted: Tue 19 Apr, 2011 9:33 am Post subject:

Personally my impression of historical examples is that their ornamentation leads towards the "tacky but functional" line, while modern ornamentation can lead towards the "aesthetically pleasing but impractical" direction. Which highlights the fact that swords are no longer in general use as tools of war, and their primary purpose today is actually ornament itself; further decoration being a mere enhancement of that.

William P · Posted: Wed 29 Jun, 2011 12:07 am Post subject:

someone along this thread line mentioned things wrong with modern fantasy swords like being too heavy flaired blade, rat tail tang, and stainless steel blades with plastic jewels,

to me thats not over the top ornamentation as it is a bad sword period, and such bad construction isnt limited to over the top swords either there are PLENTLY of swords out there that have clean lines, and simple but nice ornementation of the guard sheath and pommel, (ok these aremore bad historical sword copies) but the quality of the steel and hilt materials is simply garbage their ill fitting etc. this is especially prevelent in the katana and ninja sword market or to put it simply..

wallhangers.

so its worth seperating the difference betwen over the top and just shoddy construction. ou can hav swords which are still too heavy and impossible to hold even if theyre made of quality materials and constructon methods i.e a proper width tang and proper steel blade. for example.
the hanwei ninjato isan excellent example because it is still technically a fantasy sword because there is close to no evidence for a sword like that existing let alone it being the standard weapon of shinobi.
then we have the sword of leonidis from 300. arguably that sword is more lethal than the kopis or the xiphos
theres also the hanwei dark sentinel
united cutlery and windlass steelcrafts is full of swords that would make any reenactor go EW no way, but

and as for historically, over the top onemented swords nd not just swords, its abit on a tangent but theres also armour pieces like parade armour.
but back to swords what always comes to mind is the fate of the rapier and especially the smallsword. we see court swords whoes knuckle bow is a chain encasing jewels like a necklace
http://www.lawranceordnance.com/khaki_and_gre...avalry.php this is a modern sword technically since its made now, but it has all the flare and ornementation that most court and officers swords would have in the napoleonic era and before,
especially when compared with the actual british cavalry sabre pattern http://www.lawranceordnance.com/khaki_and_gre...avalry.php

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

William, with all due respect, I think you've missed the point of this topic.

William P · Posted: Wed 29 Jun, 2011 1:48 am Post subject:

the point of the topic, unless im mistaken is looking at modern 'fantasy swords' and how they are made ornamental. and the (quite false) assumption that historical swords are all fairly clean lines and such where the reality is that there are many swords that are just as gaudy even if those are somewhat impractical for battle.
and showing those highly ornamental swords, as well as discussing what makes a beautiful sword.
or something along those lines
what did i miss?

the point im making isnt in disagreement with the OP's point infact i have a book looking at that famous austrian armoury, the Landeszeughaus - Graz Armoury which shows many highly ornamental items, not just word, but polearms and armour.
im merely poining out that fantasy sword doesnt neccesarily equal those precepts of being super gaudy etc,

Søren Niedziella

In response to Simon G's pictures of the sword of Francis the 1st ... I just have to post pictures of the back of this sword. It does have a clear front and back - but why would they decide to only save gold on the pommel?

Søren

William P · Posted: Wed 29 Jun, 2011 3:56 am Post subject:

now to show some of those smallswords i mentioned before
sword found here http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?p=97255 wouldnt let me upload pictures

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

J.D. Crawford · Posted: Wed 29 Jun, 2011 5:34 pm Post subject:

Your point is well made Nathan.

But I guess I'm a party-pooper, because I just don't like extra ornamentation on swords, whether historic or not. I like the dull gleam of steel and the clean geometry that arises from functional design. I'm trying to recall something Oakeshott said in AoW when talking about the transition from bejeweled migration era swords to Ulfberht-style swords. It was something like (regarding the latter) 'surely this is the very essence of beauty, deriving from form and function'. I'm on that team. Must have something to do with my puritanical Scottish pioneer heritage. But each to his own...I guess it would be boring if we all liked the same thing.