Small Sword Dutch or French

[Cathey]

Thanks Jim

I thought I might review each component of the sword by way of trying to ascertain its manufacture and have come up with the following:

• The blade is hexagonal which is often seen in Dutch, British, French and German small swords;
• Regarding the shell guards which I originally thought had the usual Greek Mythological themes, One shell guard features a seated man under what might be a tree laden with fruit (perhaps representing Adam) flanked by two creatures and with two doves above his head looking in both directions and eyes apparent;
• The other Shell guards features a women seated under the same tree full of fruit, reaching to take one (Perhaps representing eve taking the apple) flanked again by two creatures and with two doves above but this time with there heads bowed down and hidden. If these are representations of Adam and Eve it would be in keeping with the religious theme;
• The Ricasso features a seated man flaked by two Monster or Eagle heads and the quillon terminates in a swan curled around the end;
• The figure in the centre of the guard appears to be wearing an odd skirt, from the rear it is clear he has a cross belt across his back and A band around his head featuring a large feather. No idea what he is holding;
• The pommels feature an arrangement of figures including pan playing flute, swans, a seated man, seated women, standing figure robbed etc, hanging fruit and other foliage.

Not sure if any of this helps of course.