Stork holding a stone - coat of arms on a baroque hunting sword cuttoe

Jim McDougall · 14th November 2010, 11:59 PM

Valjhun, this is a fantastic cuttoe which does indeed appear to be of 18th century, and seems to reflect the profound oriental influences often seen in many swords of Eastern Europe in these times into the early 19th century.
Gustav, thank you for the extremely helpful links to these examples of the stork in heraldry, which presents the most distinctive clues to finding plausible identification.

Clearly this weapon reflects military associations with the martial motif of flags, drums etc. as well as nobility with the heraldic motif. Since officers were typically of noble standing in those times, these are understandably paired.

The stork holding a 'bezant' is seen as noted by Gustav, on quite a number of arms from varying regions. Actually the 'bezant' in heraldry is not representing a stone, but a gold roundel, and as such represents most likely the gold medieval coin (bezant, from Byzantine, repr.Constantinople).

The stork is also considered the national bird of Lithuania, and I believe that this sword may well be attributed to that country. I have seen the same type of forte panel with lattis type decoration and in accord with the 'baroque' style of the sword and its motif on Polish swords of latter 18th century.
These often use Christian symbolism and allegory in the same manner as seen with the stork in many respects. The hilts also have been seen to have the same profiled outlines, and this hilt is a stylized version of the 'karabela' hilt, the sword often held as the 'national' sword of Poland.

Above the military panoply is seen a lily (fluer de lis) which is not restricted to French symbolism of course, but in this case may refer to Saint Casimir, who is often seen in Lithanian churches seen holding a lily.

It is a gorgeous sword, and the blade seems to have patterning, which I look forward to hearing more on from those better versed on watered steel blades.

All best regards,
Jim

14th November 2010, 11:59 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,295	Valjhun, this is a fantastic cuttoe which does indeed appear to be of 18th century, and seems to reflect the profound oriental influences often seen in many swords of Eastern Europe in these times into the early 19th century. Gustav, thank you for the extremely helpful links to these examples of the stork in heraldry, which presents the most distinctive clues to finding plausible identification. Clearly this weapon reflects military associations with the martial motif of flags, drums etc. as well as nobility with the heraldic motif. Since officers were typically of noble standing in those times, these are understandably paired. The stork holding a 'bezant' is seen as noted by Gustav, on quite a number of arms from varying regions. Actually the 'bezant' in heraldry is not representing a stone, but a gold roundel, and as such represents most likely the gold medieval coin (bezant, from Byzantine, repr.Constantinople). The stork is also considered the national bird of Lithuania, and I believe that this sword may well be attributed to that country. I have seen the same type of forte panel with lattis type decoration and in accord with the 'baroque' style of the sword and its motif on Polish swords of latter 18th century. These often use Christian symbolism and allegory in the same manner as seen with the stork in many respects. The hilts also have been seen to have the same profiled outlines, and this hilt is a stylized version of the 'karabela' hilt, the sword often held as the 'national' sword of Poland. Above the military panoply is seen a lily (fluer de lis) which is not restricted to French symbolism of course, but in this case may refer to Saint Casimir, who is often seen in Lithanian churches seen holding a lily. It is a gorgeous sword, and the blade seems to have patterning, which I look forward to hearing more on from those better versed on watered steel blades. All best regards, Jim