Abyssinian shotel for coment

ariel · 15th November 2007, 02:19 PM

I am not sure we can connect the 6-point star to the religious affiliation of Falashas.
The Kings of Ethiopia were convinced that their royal line went all the way back to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba: they called themselves the House of Judah. The King was, of course, the Lion of Judah and this is the reason for their national symbol ( stamped on many a Wilkinson sword

)

Jim McDougall · 15th November 2007, 02:42 PM

I should have worded that better

the note on the Falashas was meant to note that is was interesting that they were of Jewish faith and that the six point star would have had considerable potential in Abyssinian historic context. It was also worthy of note that they did serve as armourers to the Amharic rulers.
The note on the Wilkinson sword connection is well placed and the firm use of the Star of Solomon at the forte of thier blades was key to the marking of thier blades, typically enclosing brass plug with proof marks. Since Wilkinson was essentially a prime supplier of blades in the early 20th c. to Abyssinia, the possible influence of that key marking on the pommel cap on this example seems compelling.
I believe that in Abyssinian history Menelik was the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, and the Lion of Judah representing the King was indeed typically marked on Abyssinian blades by Wilkinson and other suppliers to Ethiopia including Solingen.

Emanuel · 15th November 2007, 02:53 PM

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the response

. I did not know trade blades were used on shotels, but I was aware of Wilkinson and others producing gurade blades.
Here are some shotel examples from Oriental-Arms and they look a lot like mine with the exception of the hilts.

http://www.oriental-arms.com/search....el&s.x=0&s.y=0

I'm not aware of blades being done differently although I know some have extremely high curvature.

Best regards,
Eamnuel

katana · 15th November 2007, 11:20 PM

Hi Emanuel

,
nice blade, I love the shape of these .... it is a shame about the hilt...but I think with careful re-sculpturing with a 'dremmel' type tool, ( like a small electric drill with various small cutting/shaping 'bits') you could make it quite respectable without removing it from the blade.

Regards David

Jim McDougall · 16th November 2007, 08:43 PM

It seems clear that the blade form seen on Emanuel's example is of what appears to be a native made blade with cross section of earlier highly curved shotel's. I had not been aware of this much less curved form until seeing these, and think it would be interesting to look at examples of the early highly curved ones to compare with.

Could anyone share some of the other Ethiopian swords here; the shotels of high curve, the examples with trade sabre blades and the familiar gurade?
Sort of a review of Ethiopian swords for reference!

All best regards,
Jim

katana · 16th November 2007, 09:00 PM

Hi Jim,
try this thread...

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ight=ethiopian

Regards David

Jim McDougall · 16th November 2007, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

Hi Jim,
try this thread...

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ight=ethiopian

Regards David

Hi David,
Thanks very much! That thread was a lot of fun, and there were some interesting illustrations shown. I just wanted to develop this particular thread a little as far as illustrations and comments on variations that is a bit more focused and informational as well as current.
All the best,
Jim

15th November 2007, 02:19 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I am not sure we can connect the 6-point star to the religious affiliation of Falashas. The Kings of Ethiopia were convinced that their royal line went all the way back to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba: they called themselves the House of Judah. The King was, of course, the Lion of Judah and this is the reason for their national symbol ( stamped on many a Wilkinson sword )

15th November 2007, 02:42 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	I should have worded that better the note on the Falashas was meant to note that is was interesting that they were of Jewish faith and that the six point star would have had considerable potential in Abyssinian historic context. It was also worthy of note that they did serve as armourers to the Amharic rulers. The note on the Wilkinson sword connection is well placed and the firm use of the Star of Solomon at the forte of thier blades was key to the marking of thier blades, typically enclosing brass plug with proof marks. Since Wilkinson was essentially a prime supplier of blades in the early 20th c. to Abyssinia, the possible influence of that key marking on the pommel cap on this example seems compelling. I believe that in Abyssinian history Menelik was the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, and the Lion of Judah representing the King was indeed typically marked on Abyssinian blades by Wilkinson and other suppliers to Ethiopia including Solingen.

15th November 2007, 02:53 PM	#3
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Hi Jim, Thanks for the response . I did not know trade blades were used on shotels, but I was aware of Wilkinson and others producing gurade blades. Here are some shotel examples from Oriental-Arms and they look a lot like mine with the exception of the hilts. http://www.oriental-arms.com/search....el&s.x=0&s.y=0 I'm not aware of blades being done differently although I know some have extremely high curvature. Best regards, Eamnuel

15th November 2007, 11:20 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Emanuel , nice blade, I love the shape of these .... it is a shame about the hilt...but I think with careful re-sculpturing with a 'dremmel' type tool, ( like a small electric drill with various small cutting/shaping 'bits') you could make it quite respectable without removing it from the blade. Regards David

16th November 2007, 08:43 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	It seems clear that the blade form seen on Emanuel's example is of what appears to be a native made blade with cross section of earlier highly curved shotel's. I had not been aware of this much less curved form until seeing these, and think it would be interesting to look at examples of the early highly curved ones to compare with. Could anyone share some of the other Ethiopian swords here; the shotels of high curve, the examples with trade sabre blades and the familiar gurade? Sort of a review of Ethiopian swords for reference! All best regards, Jim

16th November 2007, 09:00 PM	#6
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Jim, try this thread... http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ight=ethiopian Regards David