Seax of King Hrothgar
HISTORICAL INSPIRATION:
This project combines the inspiration of historical Spear point Seax knives in combination with the legendary Old English heroic epic named Beowulf, written in alliterative verse. With its 3182 verses, it represents the most important work of Old English literature. The decoration of the project is strongly inspired by the historical Borre style (year 850-950) of the Viking Age.
MYTHOLOGICAL/LEGENDARY MEANING:
This is the Seax of the legendary King Hrothgar from the epic Beowulf. In the epic poem Beowulf, Hrothgar is mentioned as the builder of the great hall Heorot and the ruler of Denmark at the time when the Geatish hero Beowulf arrives to defeat the monster Grendel who is terrorizing the King and his people. The poem goes on to say that Hrothgar was "slain in war". He is honest and generous: "He broke no oaths, he gave away rings, treasures at his table. The Danes "found no fault" in Hrothgar, "for he was a good king". When Beowulf defeats Grendel, Hrothgar rewards Beowulf and his men with great treasures, thus showing his gratitude and openness.Hrothgar thanks Odin for Beowulf's arrival and victory over Grendel, and swears to Beowulf that he will love him as his own son. This Seax represents an important tool that King Hrothgar carried by his side during feasting in the hall of Heorot and beyond.
SYMBOLISM:
This special project is carried in the strong symbolism of the dragon, which is associated with the figure of the Legendary King. The dragon in this case represents the Power and Wealth of Hrothgar himself but also the horror and problems that Hrothgar and his people had to deal with until the arrival of the Hero Beowulf. Steel patterns on this forge-welded blade in combination with engraving and silver inlay represent ostentatiousness, uniqueness and exceptionality of this Legendary King. The pure silver components of the Seax and the scabbard complemented by red Bohemian garnets point to the wealth and generosity of King Hrothgar. The silver pommel of the knife depicts powerful dragon heads, the handguard of the knife bear the Borre style face of King Hrothgar, the Legendary owner of this seax. The reindeer antler grip represents the Nordic origin of King but also of the seax itself. The leather decoration depicts Hrothgar surrounded by and also directly connected to powerful Dragons, which represent Power, Wealth but in this case also terror.
After all, part of this project, which represents an important tool of the Legendary King Hrothgar, is also the appropriate balance, which is created by a solid and very sharp blade in combination with hollow Pure Silver components of the handle.
BLADE:
Multibar Damascus blade composed of 6 rods and 4 materials (High Carbon Steel, Nickel Steel, Wrought Iron, Pure Nickel). Blade hardness 58-60 hrc.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Thickness of the blade under the guard: 5 mm
Blade thickness at the tip: 3,5 mm
Total weight: 435g without scabbard
Total length: 360 mm
Blade length: 230 mm
Blade width under hand protection: 37 mm
Handle length: 130 mm including guard and pommel.
MATERIALS:
Handle:Pure silver, reindeer antler, red Bohemian garnets.
Scabbard: Wooden core, cowhide leather, Pure silver, red Bohemian garnets, wrought iron Storage chest: Red oak, burgundy velvet, forged hinges and closing, cowhide.