ETHIOPIAN, ANYONE?

[derek]

Been out of town all week, so here's my belated "count me in".

The shotel on top is one of my personal favorites, the 4th from the top is a Wilkinson:



Roano should remember this one....



That shotel closer up:

[ariel]

Here are mine.
The first one is straight, with absolutely superb blade: rings like a bell! It has Roanoa's beloved "GG" mark and the Lion of Judah on the other side.
The curved one has a Russian blade, "Zlatoust August 1853 year"
Both have rhino (I mean it!) handles. The German one has original scabbard, the Russian one's scabbard is an old replacement.

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by ariel

Here are mine.
The first one is straight, with absolutely superb blade: rings like a bell! It has Roanoa's beloved "GG" mark and the Lion of Judah on the other side.

Ariel,

My straight blade is identical to yours. Same marks. Lion of Judah on one side and GG on the other side. Same floral design in the double fullers. Everything! Must have been made by the same guy or at least same shop.

37" overall length, right?

Well, mine has a rhino grip -- no, cow -- no, it IS rhino -- wait - wait - cow -- a rhinocow . . . . . cowrhino -- more Ouzo, please. It is a cowino grip! Ah who cares?

Mine has a different grip but shaped like yours.

Posted in the other thread.

[Bill M]

Apologies for the reflection haze in the pictures. The original panel is on goat skin. I do believe it is modern, but interesting.

As I understand it the story depicted is:

When the Queen of Sheba ruled Ethiopia, a beautiful bird from the land of Israel flew over the Queen's palace. When the bird returned to Israel, he reported to King Solmon just what he had seen--a land ruled by a magnificent Queen, filled with endless mountains and unexplored wilderness. King Solomon ordered that the bird return to Ethiopia with an invitation for the Queen to visit the Land of Israel. When the Queen arrived, she showered the King with plentiful silver and gold, amber, spices, incense, and perfumes. King Solomon fell in love with the Queen of Sheba and that night, the two made love. Before returning to Ethiopia, the King offered Sheba a ring and asked that if she were to bare him a son, that she send their son and the ring back to him. When their son, Menelik, was old enough to travel, he was escorted to his father's kingdom in Israel. After being educated in Israel, Menelik requested to return home to Ethiopia. Solomon ordered that the counselor's first born sons accompany Menelik on his travels. The sons secretly carried the Ark of the Covenant from the Temple of Solomon into Ethiopia. Menelik became the Ethiopian King and the Falasha Jews claim descent from the sons of King Solomon's counselors. As the legend continues....

First picture shows something mystical happening. I can't figure it out.

[Bill M]

Second picture shows Sheba setting out to go to Solomon

[Bill M]

Third picture Queen on Sheba welcomed by Solomon, The she settles down beside him,

[Bill M]

Fourth Picture Solomon makes an offer to Sheba, she accepts (see upper left of picture on right).

[Bill M]

Fifth Picture Solomon gives his ring to Sheba and tells her if she bear a son, send him to Solomon with that ring to recognize his son. Name the son Menelik.


I don't have the next panel, but I think this is neat!

[ariel]

Apparently, there is another story of a meeting between the two: Solomon ordered to make a mirror floor in his Royal Hall. Sheba, thinking it was a water pool, lifted her skirt and everybody saw she had hairy legs.
She was the first example of a liberated and proud feministic womyn!
Betty Friedan aside, Ethiopian women are beautiful and Old Solly had a very good taste