European axe

Iain · 16th May 2011, 09:34 AM

Jim,

That was an absolutely fascinating read to go along with my morning coffee. Thank you for again sharing your knowledge and insights.

The only tidbit I can offer is the number eleven is occasionally associated with the eleven disciples - after Judas is dead, before Matthias is chosen. I doubt it has any use here but the number eleven is not one that usually crops up in Medieval symbology, at least in my scant knowledge.

Probably more likely is that it is indeed a tree of life depicting all eleven of the Sephirot. Actually you already have an image of this in your attachments. The configuration of ten is:

KETER, CHOKHMAH, BINAH, CHESED, GEVURAH, TIFERET, NETZATCH, HOD, YESOD, MALKUTH

The addition could be DA'AT, which usually replaces KETER in later versions but I guess could appear side by side.

The capital G letters may be nothing more than what the smith had at hand to make the terminal shapes and might have no greater meaning.

My only problem with the tree of life theory is that there are two extra lines present (without terminals) and that the arrangement of the branches does not fit within the normal configuration of the Sephirot, where the main trunk should also carry some of them rather than all being branches - this is important due to connections between the symbols. However this may be chalked up to a smith who didn't know better?

Best,

Iain

ericlaude · 16th May 2011, 12:59 PM

Thank you very much at all , in particular to Jim or Profesor Jim.
The handle is not original, and its length isn't sure.

Jens Nordlunde · 16th May 2011, 05:03 PM

Hi Jim - that is what I meant (JUDL).
You are really good, when you start digging - thank you very much.
Jens

Jim McDougall · 16th May 2011, 06:18 PM

Thank you so much guys for such kind words!!! (as I adjust my mortarboard Ericlaude

, and it means a lot. I truly enjoy 'digging' as Jens notes, and to me its sort of historical data archaeology. There is so much behind the weapons themselves, and it is an incredibly fascinating journey searching for the answers. This forum is always at its best when we are all digging and learning together...and Iain thank you for the added notes on the eleven sephiroth, which I missed altogether and nicely adds to the understanding of this marking. I think your suggestion on the use of the capital G is very well placed, as well as the extra lines.
It is pretty well established that blacksmiths much as common folk, often, if not typically, were illiterate depending on location and period, and when applying markings or symbols by either description or copying certainly may not have been entirely faithful to the original design.

This is actually the first time I have seen this Tree of Life in this type configuration on a weapon, and in this case, what appears a 'heading' axe, so is extremely valuable for notes. Thank you again guys!

All the best,
Jim

16th May 2011, 06:18 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,741	Thank you so much guys for such kind words!!! (as I adjust my mortarboard Ericlaude, and it means a lot. I truly enjoy 'digging' as Jens notes, and to me its sort of historical data archaeology. There is so much behind the weapons themselves, and it is an incredibly fascinating journey searching for the answers. This forum is always at its best when we are all digging and learning together...and Iain thank you for the added notes on the eleven sephiroth, which I missed altogether and nicely adds to the understanding of this marking. I think your suggestion on the use of the capital G is very well placed, as well as the extra lines. It is pretty well established that blacksmiths much as common folk, often, if not typically, were illiterate depending on location and period, and when applying markings or symbols by either description or copying certainly may not have been entirely faithful to the original design. This is actually the first time I have seen this Tree of Life in this type configuration on a weapon, and in this case, what appears a 'heading' axe, so is extremely valuable for notes. Thank you again guys! All the best, Jim

16th May 2011, 09:34 AM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	Jim, That was an absolutely fascinating read to go along with my morning coffee. Thank you for again sharing your knowledge and insights. The only tidbit I can offer is the number eleven is occasionally associated with the eleven disciples - after Judas is dead, before Matthias is chosen. I doubt it has any use here but the number eleven is not one that usually crops up in Medieval symbology, at least in my scant knowledge. Probably more likely is that it is indeed a tree of life depicting all eleven of the Sephirot. Actually you already have an image of this in your attachments. The configuration of ten is: KETER, CHOKHMAH, BINAH, CHESED, GEVURAH, TIFERET, NETZATCH, HOD, YESOD, MALKUTH The addition could be DA'AT, which usually replaces KETER in later versions but I guess could appear side by side. The capital G letters may be nothing more than what the smith had at hand to make the terminal shapes and might have no greater meaning. My only problem with the tree of life theory is that there are two extra lines present (without terminals) and that the arrangement of the branches does not fit within the normal configuration of the Sephirot, where the main trunk should also carry some of them rather than all being branches - this is important due to connections between the symbols. However this may be chalked up to a smith who didn't know better? Best, Iain

16th May 2011, 12:59 PM	#2
ericlaude Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 187	Thank you very much at all , in particular to Jim or Profesor Jim. The handle is not original, and its length isn't sure.

16th May 2011, 05:03 PM	#3
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Jim - that is what I meant (JUDL). You are really good, when you start digging - thank you very much. Jens