Khevsurian sword

Kiziria · 17th July 2012, 04:50 AM

Greetings freebooter !
Its been long time since my last visit. I hope my intrusion into this obviously abandoned conversation might yet turned out helpful for you.
First of all allow me to make few corrections to provided information. The picture of seated warrior in chain mail, signed in Russian script “Xevsur” is well known picture from Russian collection of types of the Caucasus. However on the picture is not a khevsur highlander but a person that was hired by the studio to pose in khevsurian garment. The armament on the picture is assembled from various sources and there for is not entirely khevsurian. Saber is not of khevsurian style as well as head piece and clothing below the knee.
Next to above mentioned picture is another one of the saber , signed “khevsur khmali ….”
It is not however khevsurian , though I agree it shares some features. The saber is typical for Kartly and Kaheti regions of Eastern Georgia. The distinctive features are elements of scabbard. The blade itself is of curved “gorda” type or also known as “gurji gurda” its distinctive features are fullers and marks on the blade. So how to distinguish khevsurian saber or palash . One should keep in mind that scabbards of khevsurian swords are extensively or completely covered in metal. I will try to post few examples of such scabbards.
Best,
VK

Kiziria · 17th July 2012, 04:53 AM

I have tryed to attach pictures to text but unsucsesfully

How to paste pictures in ? Anybody?

Nathaniel · 17th July 2012, 05:47 AM

Hello Kiziria

Here is a link on how to post pictures on the forum. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13631

I'm guessing that your photo needs to be reduced in size, "Pictures which you upload must not exceed 1280 pixels in width, 1280 pixels in height or a file size of 1mb if they are not to be rejected"

Kiziria · 17th July 2012, 06:06 PM

Thank you Nathaniel !

Kiziria · 17th July 2012, 09:26 PM

There are few general details and elements that are helpful in establishing khevsur origin of the sword. Most of khevsur sword harness should have along its length small silver or brass embalishment scales (also protecting the leather of harness).
Also take a look at the connecting section , it is another element.
Keep in mind that khevsur scabbards are extencively protected by metall elements or compleately covered in brass or silver.

Of course there are diferences in curved or chiseld paterns, shapes of scabbard plates that came from diferent Khevsurian glens or communities. But those diferences are unnesasary to know for general attribution to Khevsureti region.

Kiziria · 17th July 2012, 09:37 PM

Items displayed above are from the collection fond of GeorgianNational Museum, Kibishauri family and Likokeli family.

Gavin Nugent · 17th July 2012, 09:46 PM

Dear VK,

Thank you for answering the hard questions and correcting historical photographs. Thank you too for specific and accurate photos.
Your explanations are greatly appreciated. I am sure many posters and readers will benefit from your assessments that have been supported by further detail.

With thanks

Gavin

Kiziria · 17th July 2012, 09:48 PM

Greetings Gavin ! Seeing name "freebooter" I did not realised that it were your post, I am sorry. It's been a long time. How are you? How is Jim?

17th July 2012, 04:50 AM	#1
Kiziria Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 26	answer to freebooter Greetings freebooter ! Its been long time since my last visit. I hope my intrusion into this obviously abandoned conversation might yet turned out helpful for you. First of all allow me to make few corrections to provided information. The picture of seated warrior in chain mail, signed in Russian script “Xevsur” is well known picture from Russian collection of types of the Caucasus. However on the picture is not a khevsur highlander but a person that was hired by the studio to pose in khevsurian garment. The armament on the picture is assembled from various sources and there for is not entirely khevsurian. Saber is not of khevsurian style as well as head piece and clothing below the knee. Next to above mentioned picture is another one of the saber , signed “khevsur khmali ….” It is not however khevsurian , though I agree it shares some features. The saber is typical for Kartly and Kaheti regions of Eastern Georgia. The distinctive features are elements of scabbard. The blade itself is of curved “gorda” type or also known as “gurji gurda” its distinctive features are fullers and marks on the blade. So how to distinguish khevsurian saber or palash . One should keep in mind that scabbards of khevsurian swords are extensively or completely covered in metal. I will try to post few examples of such scabbards. Best, VK Last edited by Kiziria; 17th July 2012 at 09:52 PM.

17th July 2012, 09:26 PM	#5
Kiziria Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 26	types of scabbards of khevsur sabers and swords There are few general details and elements that are helpful in establishing khevsur origin of the sword. Most of khevsur sword harness should have along its length small silver or brass embalishment scales (also protecting the leather of harness). Also take a look at the connecting section , it is another element. Keep in mind that khevsur scabbards are extencively protected by metall elements or compleately covered in brass or silver. Of course there are diferences in curved or chiseld paterns, shapes of scabbard plates that came from diferent Khevsurian glens or communities. But those diferences are unnesasary to know for general attribution to Khevsureti region. Attached Images

17th July 2012, 09:46 PM	#7
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Dear VK, Thank you for answering the hard questions and correcting historical photographs. Thank you too for specific and accurate photos. Your explanations are greatly appreciated. I am sure many posters and readers will benefit from your assessments that have been supported by further detail. With thanks Gavin Last edited by freebooter; 17th July 2012 at 09:58 PM.

17th July 2012, 04:53 AM	#2
Kiziria Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 26	I have tryed to attach pictures to text but unsucsesfully How to paste pictures in ? Anybody?

17th July 2012, 05:47 AM	#3
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Hello Kiziria Here is a link on how to post pictures on the forum. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13631 I'm guessing that your photo needs to be reduced in size, "Pictures which you upload must not exceed 1280 pixels in width, 1280 pixels in height or a file size of 1mb if they are not to be rejected"

17th July 2012, 06:06 PM	#4
Kiziria Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 26	Thank you Nathaniel !

17th July 2012, 09:37 PM	#6
Kiziria Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 26	Items displayed above are from the collection fond of GeorgianNational Museum, Kibishauri family and Likokeli family.

17th July 2012, 09:48 PM	#8
Kiziria Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 26	Greetings Gavin ! Seeing name "freebooter" I did not realised that it were your post, I am sorry. It's been a long time. How are you? How is Jim?