4324 – Doc shiels’ coven Sword
- Physical description:
- A very large sword, in the style of a medieval broadsword, with a hilt with the grip wrapped in twisted wire, decorative finials at the ends of the cross-piece, and a pommel suggesting stylised leaves. It seems likely to be made of steel throughout, but with some kind of lacquer coating that gives the hilt the appearance of brass and the blade a bronze colour. The finials are in the shape of small monkeys' heads, possibly representing the God Hanuman, suggesting that the sword may have originated in India.
- Museum classification:
- Modern Witchcraft
- Size:
- 1200 x 210 x 30
- Information:
This is the ritual sword used by Doc Shiels' Coven. A picture in Rupert White's book 'The Re-Enchanted Landscape', from a photograph taken by Doc Shiels, shows the sword being held aloft by one of the witches in the Coven during a ritual on Mawnan Beach c. 1976.
A copy of the book was included in the donation.
- Resource:
- Object
- Materials:
- Metal
This is the ritual sword used by Doc Shiels' Coven. A picture in Rupert White's book 'The Re-Enchanted Landscape', from a photograph taken by Doc Shiels, shows the sword being held aloft by one of the witches in the Coven during a ritual on Mawnan Beach c. 1976.
A copy of the book was included in the donation.