Looking back to this topic issue, one may still find further material on the half moon mark; something only possible by trying all wording and phrase combinations that come to mind.
All three quotations found are linked to master Julian del Rey, one we knew from a good couple sources to have used ‘various’ marks in his blades. It is highly possible (probable) that all three sources derive from one only origin, but it is interesting to mention them all, as each one quotes particular details.
From MEMORIAL LITERARIO de la corte de MADRID (1793) we have that:
Commenting on the Palomares nomina, the text reminds that, some of the masters moved to towns other than Toledo to either teach their skills or look for better trade chances, whom among others, in Zaragoza Julian del Rey, who used other marks of half moon and a “mundo con grillos”.
From DICCIONARIO MILITAR by D. José Almirante (1869) we have that:
(Under the term ESPADERO):
Still today the famous “ la del perrillo” is researched, one that was adopted by the famous Toledan Smith, Julian del Rey, converted moor. Apparently he also worked in Zaragoza; and besides the perrillo, he used as mark a half moon and a “mundo com grillos”.
Finally from DON QUIJOTE DE LA MANCHA comented by Don Diego Clemencin (1835) we have that:
Explaining why Julian’s swords were called those of the perrillo, adding that Don Pedro Jimenes de Haro owned two of those, which were wide and short, the same sword shape cited in Cervantes novel Rinconete y Cortadillo, as used by the gang leader Monipódio, describing it as in the style of “las del perrillo”, which were fabricated by Julian del Rey, a Moorish 'so they say', who also worked in Zaragoza whom, besides the perrillo, also used as mark a half moon and a “mundo com grillos”.
This mark “mundo com grillos” all times quoted together with the half moon, is rather peculiar and new (to me), as also containing a language dilema; besides not being a Spaniard, i find it possible to translate these two words in more than one mode. 'Mundo' means 'world', but may also be read as 'globe'; 'grillo' means 'cricket', but also means 'shackles'. So, could the right interpretation mean a 'globe with shackles' … or could it not be actual shackles and just an allegory ? Here is something that might take little or long time to figure out. On the other hand we find that, the half moon mark (symbol) keeps popping up here and there … even in the universe of the “Moor”.
.
|