2041 Saber
2041) AN IMPORTANT MUSEUM-QUALITY CHISELED AND ETCHED SABER CIRCA 1600 WITH SHEATH:
Introduction: From the exceptional workmanship of this sword, it was almost certainly commissioned for a high-ranking officer or very wealthy patron. The attention to detail, especially in the tiger’s mouth and fangs, shows an exceptional degree of marksmanship. Make no mistake about it, this is a very elegant, superbly made, museum-quality piece that would display well in any major collection or museum.
Discussion: The saber is historically associated with 17th— to 20th-century cavalry use; however, its origins are much earlier. The curved-blade sword (saber) is believed to have been introduced to Eastern and Central Europe by Central Asian nomadic invaders called “szablya” as early as the 9th century. Even though the shape of this saber may be Turkish, its decoration makes it crystal clear that it is Italian, or possibly French. This very elegant example undoubtedly was commissioned by a person of wealth and stature
The word “saber” (American English) or “saber” (British English) is believed to have originated in Western Europe, specifically in what is now Hungary. This uniquely distinguishable sword was popular in Hungary and had a strong following in Germany, where it was adopted for warfare.
In a perfect world, a saber (English spelling) or saber (American spelling) is a sword sharpened on only one side, with a curvature on the blade and a basket or cage to protect the hand. In the real world, there is a bit of confusion. Some sabers lack curvature in the blade or hand protection. Some sabers have specific names by country of origin or style. For example, the tessak is a North German or Scandinavian sword; the Schiavona’s Venetian, etc.
The first documented saber-form sword in Western Europe appears in a painting by the Swiss artist Hans Holbein the Younger, used to decorate a swordsmith’s shop.
Description: Constructed with an iron hilt, carved in the form of a lion head pommel with open jaws, protruding finely sculpted teeth, ears, and pelt. The hilt, with a flat recurved guard widening toward the finial tip in the form of a lion’s head en suite with the pommel, the quillon block with a grotesque face, the outer sides of the guards, the connections, and the quillon are decorated with punched decorations. The grip of twisted wood. Single-edged blade with curvature, double-edged tip with double fuller almost 2/3 the length of the blade, decorated with eyelash marks down about half the length of the top of the blade. Eyelash marks originally served as regional proof or quality marks from Genoa and Northern Italy during the 15th and 16th centuries. A blade stamped with these marks indicated it was made of exceptional, highly flexible, and resilient tempered steel. Because Italian steel was highly coveted, major German arms-manufacturing hubs like Solingen and Passau frequently copied the sickle markings throughout the 1500s and 1600s to make their export blades more marketable. The groupings of “X” and “O” stamps running inside the fullers are likely guild marks, maker acrostics, or stylized representations of stars and moons. In 17th-century European bladesmithing, particularly on Styrian, Austrian, and German blades, it was common to fill fullers with letters or geometric symbols that served as a workshop “brand” or pseudo-religious abbreviations meant to bring luck to the wielder. The sheath is made of wood and decorated en suite with the hilt; the rings on the sheath are replacements, as you would expect.
Approximate length: 38.5 inches with sheath.
Condition: Superb, conserved/restored to museum standards.
Comparable:
– Collectors’ Course on Medieval Arms and Armor, A Garcia, 2022, pages 267 and 273.
-Musée de l’Armée de Paris , see the pictures above.
–Conclusion: A spectacular and rare item that would look great in any collection or museum. I have had three over the last 35 years, and this is the best, without a doubt. It’s an attention-getter that will grace the walls of any collection or museum!!!*
ACT NOW to get the lowest possible price and avoid disappointment. This one should sell fast.
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