gemstones in hilts

Ziad · Post by **Ziad** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 10:09 am

Thought about getting it done... Then wondered - is it real, or is it just another "Vikings have horns on their helmets, and of COURSE William Wallace wore a kilt!" kind of thing?

Any ideas?

I have seen such done, but it was all definitely OOP. Topkapi palace and all that...

To be more precise, my period would be the beginning of the 14th century.

If it was done, does anybody know which stones? I am assuming a cabochon cut, but how would they be fixed? Yeesh, this is complex...

Thanks!

Z

Alcyoneus · Post by **Alcyoneus** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 4:19 pm

Yes, rock crystal pommels, among other things. I'll check my references later tonight. There should be tons of examples.

Ziad · Post by **Ziad** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 6:50 am

Thanks! Knew somebody could come through for me!

In the legends, Siegfried's sword Balmung was set with jasper. Nobody said anything about the hilt of Roy's sword, though.

Sorry, had to go there

Cariadoc points out that Islamic society was aware of the differences in types of stone, but Europeans were sometimes unclear on the matter, with names being used sometimes for different stones with the same color, i.e. red stones are rubies.

Thanks again

Z

chef de chambre · Post by **chef de chambre** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 7:43 am

Hi Ziad,

Actually, I don't know of any examples with gemstones set into the hilt. The pommel was often hollow (like looking at an 'Irish' sword), with a fragment from a saint set into the hollow, and then the hollow covered over with an enamled disc set into it - usually showing the owners coat of arms.

The examples Alcy is probably recalling are teo 15th century German examples which have the entire pommel made of rock crystal. Even the two known late 13th/mid 14th century examples of swords associated directly with kings (the sword of Edward III and the sword of Pedro of Castille) follow the pattern of the hollow pommel with the enamled disc bearing a coat of arms. Surely if any sword would actuially be inset with gems, an actual kings sword would be.

------------------
Bob R.

Ziad · Post by **Ziad** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:50 am

That makes sense.

I may look into decorating the throat of a scabbard with semi-precious stones. The so-called Sword of Charlemagne, while overall of somewhat questionable date overall, seems to have some in-period cabochons set in the scabbard. I have only seen a partial pic of the scabbard, though - does anyone know about the chape?

Thanks

Z

Thomas Powers · Post by **Thomas Powers** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 11:55 am

The Sword of Childerich (d 481) has some gold/garnet work on the guard and on the pommel in the style of the Sutton Hoo stuff.

The same plate in "Cut and Thrust Weapons" Wagner; Spring Books) shows two more frankish swords so decorated dated 650-750 A.D.

Took a quick scan through the "Wallace Collection Catalog" as he tended to like the ornate stuff and would have bought them if he could have---no gems but a lot of chiselling and inlay, blueing and gilding, etc...

Looks like going early is your best bet.

Thomas

Ziad · Post by **Ziad** » Fri Nov 14, 2003 4:59 am

I don't think I would want to change period for something like that. And too much range would be out of character for the persona, I think. I will do some more research, and if there is nothing to back it up, I will just drop the idea.

A fifth century accessory for an early 14c persona would be most improbable; the rule of weirdness cuts in somewhere. Unless of course he was shipwrecked and kidnapped by Gypsies who had looted an ancient grave and then escaped with the booty!!!

NOT

Thanks!

Z