French Cavalry saber a la Mameluke for comments

[kai]

Hello Fernando,

We'd need to see a close-up of the end grain of the horn for any identification.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6162

From general appearance, I'd tend towards it possibly being some blonde variety (probably from cattle; rams also often exhibit lighter colored horn).

Regards,
Kai

[fernando]

Thanks much for caring Kai but, no need to browse further.
That was me giving wings to my imagination. After looking to the description and pictures of other examples, i am now certain this is some sort of "corne blonde" , as you suggested.

[fernando]

It is amazing how these Mameluke style swords 'digressed' into a path of luxury, their ostentation attempts reaching exponential limits. Some examples are so breathtaking that it hurts to watch them.
This 'specimen' from the Royal collection kept in the Armoury of the Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa may not the be an extreme achievement, but certainly mid way to it. All parts are gold (not golden), with the Paris proof house hallmark circa 1809; except for the grip, which is jade.
Such a pity that the picture in the catalog is rather small and the details can not be clearly appreciated. Just for perusal (all) chiselled motifs include Hercules fighting the lion, chariots pulled by oxen and deer carrying persons, a knight protected by a buckler, the head of Minerva, a woman figure, man and woman heads, volutes, palmettes, lyres, amphors, horses, arabescs.
This certainly is not a fighting sword but, surely a sword i would fight for


.