Venetian Schiavona Broadsword, ca. 1620-1650

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In Italian, the term "Spada Schiavona" means “Slavonic sword”. According to Oakeshott, the cross hilt sword with distinctive cat’s head pommel originated in the 14th Century in Slavonic Europe. From these origins it came with the Slavonic mercenary light-horse employed by the armies of Spain and the Republic of Venice. The hilt evolved from a simple cross-hilt with cat’s head pommel to the elaborate full basket hilts of the 18th Century. Generally, the simpler the hilt, the earlier the sword. The one feature common to all periods was the cat’s head pommel, though the earlier examples were of iron, with later pommels of brass or bronze. This example would have been carried by the Dalmation mercenaries employed by the Doge of Venice during the mid 17th Century. Full basket hilt of Schiavona Type II style (Oakeshott) made of flat overlapping bars. Faint stamped Venetian lion head arsenal mark on hilt. Thumb ring on reverse. Quillon bent forward as usually found. This was frequently done intentionally by the owner because the long quillon got in the way when carried. Brass cat’s head pommel of typical form, with stamped circle border. Leather grip with minor flaking. Unmarked broad double edged unfullered blade of 31" length, slightly hexagonal in shape. Blade is moderately worn and pitted and likely much earlier than the hilt, possibly as early as 15th Century. It was quite common for Schiavona hilts to be fitted with earlier blades. For a similar example see Figure 496, “Armi Bianche Italiane”, by Boccia and Coelho. These early Schiavonas are getting hard to find and commanding top prices at the European auction houses.

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