Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

AHorsa · 11th December 2014, 10:12 PM

I wonder if anyone knows the meaning of those creatures sometimes appearing on the crossguards of 16th and 17th century swords. Is it dogs, or monsters/seamonsters (as they are often shown with fish scales - see example on the lower left site), dragons...? And what is their mythological and/or metaphorical meaning?
Would be great if anyone could provide some ideas about it.

Cheers
Andreas

11th December 2014, 10:12 PM	#1
AHorsa Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Rhineland Posts: 375	Meaning of decoration creatures I wonder if anyone knows the meaning of those creatures sometimes appearing on the crossguards of 16th and 17th century swords. Is it dogs, or monsters/seamonsters (as they are often shown with fish scales - see example on the lower left site), dragons...? And what is their mythological and/or metaphorical meaning? Would be great if anyone could provide some ideas about it. Cheers Andreas Attached Images Last edited by AHorsa; 12th December 2014 at 12:38 PM.