art-of-swords:

Sword-Catching Parrying Dagger

• Dated: 1600
• Culture: Italian

This unusual fencing dagger demonstrates the way in which the artistic qualities of a weapon could be influenced by the practical concerns of the swordsman. The Renaissance duel was usually fought with rapier and dagger. The rapier, as the main weapon of attack, was complemented by a parrying dagger held in the left hand, used primarily for defensive movements.

However, by 1600 fighting with the rapier alone was becoming the latest fashion. The opposing blade could still be parried or beaten away with the left hand. The free left also allowed the duellist to grab hold of his enemy’s swordblade, temporarily immobilising it to expose him to a lethal counter-thrust.  

This distinctive fencing weapon is designed to provide the blade-grabbing ability of the free left hand, while retaining the dagger for defensive action. The arrow-like barbs allowed a sword blade to enter the ‘jaw’ of the dagger, but made it difficult to free it again. With his weapon ensnared, the enemy was exposed, if only for an instant.

The practical challenges of creating such a specialised weapon were considerable. The hardened and tempered steel blade had to be carefully cut with the series of dramatically barbed teeth, a laborious process. The spaces between the teeth have been elegantly filed with ornamental edges, while the base of the blade has been finely etched and gilt- an unusual feature, even for high-quality weapons. In this way, despite its very specific function as a fighting tool, the weapon’s artistic merit is evident.

Source & Copyright: The Wallace Collection

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vikrattlehead:

ser-ket:

beatsandblades:

foodaddictofficial:

Chocolate Lasagna

INGREDIENTS

• 1 package regular Oreo cookies (Not Double Stuff) – about 36 cookies
• 6 Tablespoon butter, melted
• 1- 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 Tablespoons cold milk
• 1- 12 ounce tub Cool Whip, divided
• 2 – 3.9 ounce packages Chocolate Instant Pudding.
• 3 1/4 cups cold milk
• 1 and 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Begin by crushing 36 Oreo cookies. I used my food processor for this, but you could also place them in a large ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin. When the Oreos have turned into fine crumbs, you are done.
2. Transfer the Oreo crumbs to a large bowl. Stir in 6 tablespoons melted butter and use a fork to incorporate the butter into the cookie crumbs. When the butter is distributed, transfer the mixture to a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan. Place the pan in the refrigerator while you work on the additional layers.
3. Mix the cream cheese with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add in 2 Tablespoons of milk, and sugar, and mix well. Stir in 1 and 1/4 cups Cool Whip. Spread this mixture over the crust.
4. In a bowl, combine chocolate instant pudding with 3 and 1/4 cups cold milk. Whisk for several minutes until the pudding starts to thicken. Use a spatula to spread the mixture over the previous cream cheese layer. Allow the dessert to rest for about 5 minutes so that the pudding can firm up further.
5. Spread the remaining Cool Whip over the top. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips evenly over the top. Place in the freezer for 1 hour, or the refrigerator for 4 hours before serving.

SOMEONE COME OVER AND MAKE THIS WITH ME.

Just letting everyone know that I used this recipe and want to say that it is made with very sweet things, but isn’t too rich or bland -it’s perfect. My whole family, including those who weren’t big on sweets at all, loved it. Keep in mind, too, that you’re making a lot, and it took about a week and a half for my family of four to eat it all. Also, for those who don’t have access to Cool Whip -I just used whipped cream and it tasted fantastic uvu

Reblogging this just for you Savanna.

True love

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I’m drunk on a bus and I miss everyone ever. But I always underestimate my ability to be alone. It’s always fine and I’m always fine but I get so torn up about it. Weirdly I feel the loneliest on my most social days. I remember what I’ve been missing. I’m always so nostalgic for recent history but I am never present in the moment. I wonder if that’s a dangerous way to live. But what do I know anyway. I’m always so pained to part with people I just met. I don’t even like separating from people I dislike. I want to cling to everyone and everything but it’s a series of losses. Every moment seems so vast and safe in retrospect. I dread the loss of my memories but I always wait for each present second to move on to the next. I wonder why that is. I can’t say hi I’m savanna to anyone without wanting them to be open to me forever. I want to know everything about everyone and tell them it’s going to be okay. It really will all be okay. And i regret every stupid and cruel thing I’ve ever done. I want to learn to be friendly to myself but I’m so inclined against that. Anyway it is a pleasant humid night.

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When I find myself in times of trouble

britney spears comes to me

speaking words of wisdom

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