Great detective work, he has some serious skills.

It appears that the various opinions were diverse but also converging in that this is a fantasy ... at least in its broad sense.
In a way i can see Ian's approach on the shadows issue. Not that it defines that the objects are not real (You David, know far enough about photography to judge it) but, there are tricks about this presentation. The encounter of both sword and scabbard tips look as if the picture of both was not simultaneous; giving 'logic' to the 'ilogic' of showing them in opposite positions, something a person familiar with weaponry would not basicaly do ... nor fabricating the sword guard in a position 'ilogic' to be drawn from its scabbard.
Surely this type of implements is not within the scope of our forums but, now and then, a digestive brain storm means no harm ;).


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David, I used google reverse image search. After reading Ian's comment I really thought the pic had a "painted" look to it and we might just be looking at a skillfully created picture, perhaps digitally enhanced, instead of a skillfully created sword and that prompted me to take a look.