Artist: Unknown; Date(s): circa 1680 - 1700; Classification(s): weapons, schiavona, casting (process), sword, cast, with chiselled and fluted decoration; Acquisition: bequeathed by Henderson, James Stewart, 1933-03-16 [HEN.M.297-1933]
Description: Sword. Schiavona type. Bronze 'Katzenkopf' pommel with a central boss on each side formed of a circle consisting of a mix-armed star, between the arms, raised hemispheres. Grip of oval section, spirally fluted and bound with twisted steel wire. Basket-guard of schiavona 2A type. The bars of flat ribbon section have three chiselled channels that run parallel with each edge. There is a long rear quillon that widens at the tip, ending in a small circular knob. This is bent strongly outward towards the lower bars of the basket. Long blade with a deep ricasso of oval section. Below the section changes to a ridged section with four strongly hollowed faces, and a deep fuller running along the ridge to the point. The taper is very slight. On each side of the ricasso is a monogram below a Saxon crown. It presumably applies to Augustus Rex of Saxony (Augustus the Strong), 1670-1733.