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Old 3rd April 2010, 05:48 PM   #9
Samik
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Location: Slovakia
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Just to add to Gonzalo's superb post ( It should be made sticky IMHO), not only did the Venetians (and north Italians in general) adopt certain armaments and styles , but they further combined them with a style of their own (thus often creating something unique).



via http://www.zeno.org/Kunstwerke/B/Cri...onende+Madonna

note the qullions on the sabre from this splendid painting of Carlo Crivelli (cca 1490). Clearly the riveted and slightly canted hilt (as well as the arabesque features on the sheath) are a typical feature of the turco-balkan sabres of the era, yet the qullions seem to be more "Venetian" in style. Very similar type of a cross-guard can be seen on arming swords from roughly the same period:




This one comes from Bardejov (Slovakia, Bártfa in the old days). Its a close-up on the effigy of an anonymous early 16th cent man-at-arms (the photo is mine)

The Venetian-style falchions (called IIRC "storta"? ) can also be observed in period art. My favourite piece where falchions are depicted comes from a painting by Antonio del POLLAIUOLO (cca 1470). One can clearly see the clipped back edge of the weapons:



via http://www.wga.hu/

Regards,
Samuel
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