A beautiful and rare period 1730 horseman's sabre with repouse chased and engraved heavy brass double guard hilt featuring the legendary 'Green man' with a stylized lion head pommel.
One of the most interesting and handsome early swords we have had. This double guard sabre features each guard cast, repouse, chased, and engraved with the likeness of the 'Green Man' of Europoean pre-Christian legend. The 'Green man' was a diety responsible for death, rebirth, and the preservation of the natural world. The 'Green Man's' face, as modeled on this sword, can be seen in carved wood and stone architectural details and decorations in early Christian churches. His veneration as a spirit/force of nature lasted from the age of nature worship through the nineteenth century. He was, and to a degree still is very popular, in Ireland, England, and northwestern Germany though his representation can be found throughout Europe.
This sword's basic hilt form dates it to the period 1700 - 1740 given its double guard with the inside panel being slightly smaller than the outer one. The highly stylized 'Lion' pomel is of a type seen on Dutch, Flemish, and Northwest German swords of the period. This sabre is of very solid construction and weight clearly intended as a fighting sword yet showing exceptional quality and artistic merit
The 'Greenman' panels on this sword are rare. They are very finely designed and crafted, and the face is viewable from both front and back. the grip is cast and chased in a spiral rope form. The workmanship and design of this sword are top level. The blade is typical of the period as found on mounted officers sabres and the left side seems to bear remnants of the Solingen 'Running Wolf' mark.
This sabre is in fine condition with hilt artwork and detail crisp and well cared for with fine age patina. The blade is in fine condition for a sword of its period with even age, wear, and fine patina. A sword that has been well taken care of for over two hundred and fifty years.
One is led to believe the original owner of this sabre believed himself a champion of the 'Green Man' and defender of the natural world. A sword of this unique motif would likely have been passed down through the generations of a military family.
A rare and impressive sword with great character that makes me think of Washington Irving's Headless Horseman in his 'Legend of Sleepy Hollow'.
Dimensions: blade length 31" x 1 1/2"blade width at hilt, overall length 36 1/2"
Price: $1650.00
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