I have a thing for knives. I have for a very long time. Knife shops fascinate me. So you can imagine my excitement at arriving in Toledo, a city known for two millennia for its blades.
I’ve been wanting a Roman gladius for a while, but a real sword isn’t in the budget. I was happy to discover toy wooden swords. They had the gladius in wood. Hmmm. Thinking (as I hope to return to Toledo before I leave Spain).
© 2010 Carino Casas
As I wandered the old city, I resisted entering the shops. I looked in windows and moved on. But something caught my eye at one shop. I did the “mistake” of wandering near the door. The shopkeeper pounced.
I went in and inquired about what had dazzled me in the window. Then I asked her about a gladius. They had a 9-inch replica for under 10 euro, but I wanted a full size. Pass.
She told me the item I saw in the window was 20 percent off. Thinking. Then she tells her husband, “Show her how you work the gold.”
Enrique did. He showed me how he scratches the same place twice to make a groove. Then, used a metal stylus to push a thread of gold into the scratch. So he was gilding a design onto a plate.
I asked if I could photograph him. He consented. I asked for his name. His wife answered, “Enrique Espinosa, just like on the card.”
© 2010 Carino Casas
Well, I’d watched the man work, and he’d let me take his picture. I folded and bought what I’d seen in the window.
© 2010 Carino Casas
© 2010 Carino Casas
It is a little sword. The symbol of precious Israel on the guard jumped out at me. I had a bit of buyers remorse, but it will be a beautiful reminder of my time in Spain as well as my calling to God’s personal parcel of land.
The guard really is the best part. I like that it says “Toledo,” just to remind. I hope to find a nice stand for it, though it may just guard my pens in my pen cup.
It is no more than 9 inches long. It’ll make a great letter opener, but maybe not. I just like looking at it. The intersecting lines mesmerize. Well, at least they do me.
Two more shots… a close up of the guard and more samples of Enrique’s work. The plate in the center says “shalom.”
I’ll try to share a few more tidbits from Toledo in a day or two. I have a slew of Madrid shots to get through. The sun graced us with it’s presence Saturday, so I went photo hunting. Nothing earth shattering. Just a peek for those who like traveling vicariously with me.
Shalom, friends.
© 2010 Carino Casas
© 2010 Carino Casas
Comments
11 responses to “Sword shopping in Toledo”
Beautiful work, I like the sword too.
Now THAT is right up my alley!!
Oooooooooooooo ~ si, very nice!!! Me must look at this blog on my lappie…..all squished up here :P.
These are gorgeous! what an amazing art!!
It’s lovely! I am glad you bought it!
(Love spending other people’s money!) Do you think you will have any problems with customs? Of course, it won’t be in your hand luggage! LOL!
@DanishDoll – Don’t think it’ll be a problem. You can see it’s size in relation to a penny here. In time, the Lord may let me get a full-size one.
Is Toledo steel folded and pounded, or am I confusing it with samurai swords? I wish I had thought to visit places like this when I visited Toledo (many, many years ago).
@Roadkill_Spatula – I’m not sure. I was reading on one site yesterday about the Toledo technique. It’s a sword seller… don’t know how accurate info is. SwordsFromToledo.com
What a wonderful keepsake!!! You got some nice photos too!!!
Fabulous workmanship! That is a beautiful little sword and so very special! I’m glad Enrique let you take pictures! I love that you got exquisite close up shots!
My brother took us to Toledo in 1970 or 71. We bought one of those little swords and gave it to my mother. She still has it. I also have one of those little plates. I keep it on my desk. We never got to see anyone actually do the work. Nice pictures.