A Very Fine Venetian Schiavona Sword. 45” overall, 38” straight broad double edged blade of lenticular section, with triple narrow fullers from the forte on both sides, two opposed half moon marks to each side. Iron basket hilt of characteristic trellised flattened bars, forward curved ‘S’ shaped quillon, thumb loop, bronze ‘Cats Head’ pommel with finely carved, winged lion's head in relief (San Marco or Moeca Lion) & joined to the guard by a wire ring, early leather covered banded grip.
18th Century
Provenance: Czerny’s September 14, 2019
Fine quality example in very good condition. The blade probably Toledo made, the Man in the Moon stamp is the mark of Juan Martinez the Elder, however the mark was much copied by other Toledo and Solingen sword smiths.
The Schiavona is a distinctly Venetian sword carried for centuries by the Dalmatian
mercenaries hired by the Doge of Venice. The earliest examples had a simple cruciform
hilt which evolved progressively to the ornate intricate basket hilt of the 18th C. The one
feature that remained constant throughout its period of use is the distinctive cat’s head
pommel, the earliest examples being of iron with later pommels of brass or bronze.