GEEZ! That's stunning! Congrats!

That is incredible. Erickison’s work never ceases to amaze.

Congratulations

That is absolutely stunning!!! Eljay's work just keeps amazing me. Magnifecint sword!

Mac,

Is this the same basket I had the pleasure of seeing in progress, up close & personal, "last year" when meeting Eljay here in Va.?

If so, then even more Wow.

Bill

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Mac, Mac, mac...

Absolutely gorgeous. So intricate yet humble at the same time. This has got to be my favorite basket hilt I've seen in a long, long time.

Take care.
-JS

A little information concerning the original .....

LA 22 - John Allan,of Sirling,1716.

John Wallace,"Scottish Swords & Dirks",1970.
-- Plate 33 & 34 .
A fine basket-hilt, the metal chased with floral and leaf forms, and inlaid with disks, interlace, daggers, etc., in silver.
On the loops set into the underside of the guard are two silver plates on which is inscribed John Allan and Stirling 1716.
Because the backguard is also incised with the initials I.A.S, Whitelaw was able to formulate his research later set down in his celebrated article on signed swords by Glasgow and Stirling armourers. John Allan senior was admitted burgess of Stirling in 1714.
The liner is not original. OL- 38", BL- 31 1/4". Silver inlaid & engraved.
-- Belonged to the chief of Clanranald. Bequeathed by Angus Roderick MacDonald, 23rd chief & captain of Clanranald.

Charles E. Whitelaw, "Scottish Arms Makers", Plate III.Fig. 3.
-- Backsword with pierced basket hilt chased with floral and leaf forms and inlaid with discs, interlacing lines etc. of silver, while on the corners of the square junction plate are added four crosses or daggers, also inlaid in silver.
The underside of the quillon is signed I.A. over S and on the pas d' ane or loops(Foward guards) on the underside of the basket are inset two silver plates inscribed respectively JOHN ALLAN, STIRLING 1716. At three points the framework of the basket has been broken and spliced on the inside with a small riveted plate; this shows that the sword has been used in action. The blade is single edged with two flutes close to the point, and signed ANDRIA FERARA. The scabbard appears to be considerably later date than the sword.
Total length, 3 feet 1 1/4" inches, Blade, 31 3/8" inches by 1" inch.
* MACDONALD OF CLANRANALD * Prince Charles Edward left this sword with "Old Clanranald of the '45", when, disguised as a woman, he escaped the Outer Hebrides with Flora MacDonald. The present Clanranald has deposited it in the Scottish National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh.(further referenced in 'Scottish Weapons & Fortifications 1100-1800' by David H. Caldwell,Page 155,Fig. 65)

Cyril Mazansky, "British Basket-Hilted Swords", 2005.
F16e(IA) -- National Museums of Scotland, Edinburgh MCR1 (1716)
-- This hilt illustrates another example of this typological group, in this case signed by John Allan 1 and inscribed Stirling 1716.
The decorative pattern on the shield consists of pierced family A, type ii, hearts and a central circular hole, with four inlaid silver daggers in saltire. Of note also is the paired claw with bifurcated end found at the junction of the main guards just as they enter the groove beneath the type IVA pommel, as on the last type, 16e(JA) and on F16c(JA).

Congrats mac,
even before looking at all the silver work that is a pretty cool basket,alot of detail going on,
are you sure your not gonna cut with it, ;)
Big thumbs up to Eljay,awsome looking work, :cool:

That is a stunning pice of work. Absolutely amazing. Excuse me while I go and look for my jaw,I dropped it somewhere under the desk when I saw those pictures.

Oh my, Mac. That is just stunning. e5drf6t7gyhu9ino-mp, 89bh0nju9-m0=,.p=79yb8un9

Oops, sorry. That was me wiping the drool off of my keyboard. :blush: I think I need a cigarette.

You're a blessed man, sir!

Thank you for posting these pictures. Your sword is absolutely beautiful. I hope to someday own an Eljay baskethilt. Until then, I'll have to experience the thrill vicariously.

Congratulations on money well spent!


David

Just adding the general chorus of ooohs and ahhhs! Oooooh Ahhhhhh! :) It's an outstanding piece you have there Mac, but of course you don't need me to tell you that. :) Also, if I might add your picture taking skills have REALLY improved over the years!

I'm expecting to get my hands on yet another new Eljay creation in the next couple of weeks, and I was just starting to get my excitement under control when I saw your piece, Mac. Now I've had to raise my Eljay Alert level back up to Orange ("Giddy")

This new basket is fantastic. As for the liner, I'd hate to see Eljay's grip work hidden by a full-basket velvet liner. Maybe a compromise in the form of a half-basket liner of plain deerskin? A silver-embroidered half or 3/4 cloth liner could be a knockout....

I can only repeat what has already been said , Wow ! That is absolutely stunning !! It is a great pleasure to look at and I can only guestimate how wonderful that must be to own............mind you, if I owned it I would probably have ruined it my now ..............with all the dribbling all over it ! :lol:
It is gratifying to know that there are still craftsmen out there that are still capable of such beautiful workmanship. A truly stunning piece ! :)

Regards as ever,

Russ