Scabbard Mount ID please

ward · 29th March 2009, 09:52 PM

I think 19th century is a good dating

Jim McDougall · 29th March 2009, 10:07 PM

Hi Gene,
I'm glad I could help, and I apologize for not stating my findings more clearly. I meant to note that this style mount was of the form seen on 17th century Mughal scabbards, but clearly this is much later as Ward has aptly noted, and I entirely agree with 19th century assessment.

It is important to remember that while blades were typically heirlooms, and hilt mounts and scabbards were often refurbished through generations. With this being the case, traditions in elemental style were typically maintained in degree, with of course subtle customizing according to the new owner.

Since this is compellingly a Mughal piece, in my opinion it would not seem at all out of place on a shamshir, a highly prized weapon in Mughal courts.
Essentially you are simply following a well established tradition

All the best,
Jim

Atlantia · 30th March 2009, 01:52 PM

Brilliant, thank you gentlemen, I'm happy with 19thC as a most likely date, it confirms my inital thoughts (based soley on the guilding).

Jim McDougall · 31st March 2009, 11:23 PM

Hi Gene,
Just a little addendum here that I found extremely interesting. As I was browsing through on book on prehistoric to ancient shamanism, I was completely stunned by an illustration of a group of knives from the European Iron Age, around 1st c. B.C.
These were found in excavated tomb from St.Georges les Baillargeaux (Vienne), and the ring type pommels were open rings in remarkably the same shape as this suspension ring, and were believed for rituals by a shaman.

What is interesting here is to see how incredibly far back these stylized shapes and forms extended, and how influences from other regions in ancient times diffused into the Indian subcontinent. While not suggesting any direct contact of course, it is like most actual trade diffusion, the result of tribal or group interaction in the farthest regions of certain cultural or tribal spheres with others moving in the directions extending far beyond to other frontiers.
I believe in anthropology this type of diffusion and influence may be considered folk memory in degree.

Just thought it might be interesting,
All the best,
Jim

rand · 6th April 2009, 01:00 AM

Hi Gene,

Reguarding the date and origen of this copper gilt suspension ring mount a 19th century date would be my opinion because of a number of factors all adding to that conclusion. The availablility, value and cost of different alloys changed over time and copper and brass became more commenly used in the 19th century than in previous centuries. Then you have the punch round dot background filler design again more a trend of the 19th century, especially India. Next you have an unprecise trilobe floral design that also suggests a later crafsman, in general earlier work is more precise. And finally the lack of any pierce work on the upper hanger itself, when all put together point me to 19th century India......

You could look to see what the different parts are brazed together with, then again because its copper there is the possibility oh being cast

Now your real problem is finding a matching piece.....

rand

6th April 2009, 01:00 AM	#5
rand Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 539	Suspension Mount Hi Gene, Reguarding the date and origen of this copper gilt suspension ring mount a 19th century date would be my opinion because of a number of factors all adding to that conclusion. The availablility, value and cost of different alloys changed over time and copper and brass became more commenly used in the 19th century than in previous centuries. Then you have the punch round dot background filler design again more a trend of the 19th century, especially India. Next you have an unprecise trilobe floral design that also suggests a later crafsman, in general earlier work is more precise. And finally the lack of any pierce work on the upper hanger itself, when all put together point me to 19th century India...... You could look to see what the different parts are brazed together with, then again because its copper there is the possibility oh being cast Now your real problem is finding a matching piece..... rand

29th March 2009, 09:52 PM	#1
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	I think 19th century is a good dating

29th March 2009, 10:07 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,292	Hi Gene, I'm glad I could help, and I apologize for not stating my findings more clearly. I meant to note that this style mount was of the form seen on 17th century Mughal scabbards, but clearly this is much later as Ward has aptly noted, and I entirely agree with 19th century assessment. It is important to remember that while blades were typically heirlooms, and hilt mounts and scabbards were often refurbished through generations. With this being the case, traditions in elemental style were typically maintained in degree, with of course subtle customizing according to the new owner. Since this is compellingly a Mughal piece, in my opinion it would not seem at all out of place on a shamshir, a highly prized weapon in Mughal courts. Essentially you are simply following a well established tradition All the best, Jim

30th March 2009, 01:52 PM	#3
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Brilliant, thank you gentlemen, I'm happy with 19thC as a most likely date, it confirms my inital thoughts (based soley on the guilding).

31st March 2009, 11:23 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,292	Hi Gene, Just a little addendum here that I found extremely interesting. As I was browsing through on book on prehistoric to ancient shamanism, I was completely stunned by an illustration of a group of knives from the European Iron Age, around 1st c. B.C. These were found in excavated tomb from St.Georges les Baillargeaux (Vienne), and the ring type pommels were open rings in remarkably the same shape as this suspension ring, and were believed for rituals by a shaman. What is interesting here is to see how incredibly far back these stylized shapes and forms extended, and how influences from other regions in ancient times diffused into the Indian subcontinent. While not suggesting any direct contact of course, it is like most actual trade diffusion, the result of tribal or group interaction in the farthest regions of certain cultural or tribal spheres with others moving in the directions extending far beyond to other frontiers. I believe in anthropology this type of diffusion and influence may be considered folk memory in degree. Just thought it might be interesting, All the best, Jim