![]() ![]() Certain typological and other properties of swords are mapped in order to explore their spatial distribution. Considering that swords from southeastern Europe include also some characteristic finds, Oakeshott`s typology is supplemented by some new types of pommels, blades and cross-guards. In addition to this division, the existing shapes were compared with the typologies of other researchers (Alexander Ruttkay, Marian Głosek, Anatolij Kirpichnikov, Alfred Geibig, Karl-Zeno Pinter and others). Division of the shapes and forms of the basic parts of swords is based on the typology made by Ewart Oakeshott. The Catalogue contains data on 412 swords that come from this area, from the Alps to Istanbul, including all states of the former Yugoslavia (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia), Bulgaria, Greece and Albania and from Slovakia via Hungary, Romania and Moldova to the Black Sea. The book includes medieval swords from the Balkans and the Carpathian Basin (Pannonian Plain). In the conclusion of the paper, aſt er consideration of all the fi ndings of half-masks known for today, on the basis of their morphological peculiarities and chronology, the authors put forward a hypothesis about existence of at least two regions that produced half-masks. It might be crucial to point out that due to the restoration and the X-ray fl uorescence analysis, the method of coating became clear - amalgamation by silver and gold covered with a net of lines. The report confi rmed the presupposed dating of the half-mask by the 12th century, which allows us to challenge the hypothesis about expansion of this protective element aſt er the Mongol invasion. The half-mask found while excavating the stronghold of Old Rus’ town Vschizh (Bryansk reg., Russia) is also carefully considered within the framework of the paper. The specific burial ritual (with armor placed into the grave) that came into practice in South-Rus’ steppes aſt er the Mongol invasion allows us to date this burial back to as early as the middle of the 13th century A. Most likely, this half-mask comes from a nomad burial, which also yielded a stirrup, a flint and a knife. The paper focuses on the recently found half-mask that was discovered near the village of Dibrovo (Donetsk reg., Ukraine). The present catalogue documents over 300 works of bladesmiths and armourers from India, China, Tibet and Nepal. Besides, some exhibits from the collection of the Museum or Oriental Art were also on display. The world’s most famous museums could envy some of the unique arms and armour that we had a possibility to show to the general public thanks to these three collectors, passionate about their shared fi eld of study. The Chinese part of the exhibition was kindly lent by restorer Vladimir Belanovsky, PhD. Indian arms and armour was collected by an avid traveller and expert in Indian culture Andrey Popov and by officer and collector Valentin Kormshchikov. Most exhibits on display come from three private collections. Beauty and elegance show in the mastery of their design, the pattern of the wootz steel, the intricate decoration. ![]() Paradoxically, these exhibits at the same time belong to the most powerful instrument of creation on Earth as they are works of art. Even though the items on display may have been meant for decoration or intimidation, they were above all designed to kill. The exhibition of Indian and Chinese weaponry that took place from April 7 to at the Museum of Oriental Art in Moscow was called ‘Deadly Beauty’ for a reason. ![]()
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