feasting my eyes upon its rugged beauty, all I can say is that it is well with my soul. I think I just ooohed and aaahed and WOW'ed for about ten minutes. It was actually cathartic. I'd like to say that all I could do was sit on the floor and cry, except that I didn't have the energy to cry.

So now I've got my cup of hot Prince of Wales tea and I feel like writing a bit this fine morning, so here goes as this piece of iron has inspired me a bit.

 

I have an admittedly subjective one-through-ten "Character Value" rating system I employ on these galmas, based on many variables.  To the casual observer, these artifacts are worth nothing more than a passing glance and maybe a cursory acknowledgment of "how unusual", but to a fanatic like me, each one has its own story to tell, with a surprising amount of detail that factors into its character value. Like Samuel Scudder learned as a neophyte to the renowned biologist Louis Agassiz who had him examine and describe a fish, Scudder thought that after 10 minutes of observation he knew it all.  But Agassiz told him to keep observing because he was still not getting the most important features. With the Galmas, size, weight, dimensionality, surface topography on both front and back blade faces, symmetry, thickness, spike shape and length, forge weld at spike base, slope of shoulders, decorative top ridge, mineralization, variance in overall shape, type of iron ore used, forging patterns and technique - all these things and more factor into the character value as I see it. And then there's just that "feel", that elusive something or inward knowing (and I know you know what I am talking about here MB), call it instinct, sixth sense, or from just long experience, that feel that not only authenticates, but sets a piece apart as something special in the aesthetic sense, extraordinary not commonplace, exceptional not average, like the difference between a Sparrow and a Gouldian Finch.  Even a Sparrow, when examined closely is a thing of beauty with wonderful pattern and design to its feathers, but place it next to a Gouldian finch which is about the same size and shape, and there is just no comparison. (This may not be the best illustration of what I mean because with the galmas, the differences are much more subtle, but it's all I could think of at the moment), I'll move on.  I only have one "10" in my collection so far, but this beauty from you rates a 9.5. It's just an outstanding piece in all ways, and definitely has that "feel" about it.  It's better than mere pictures could ever reveal, and I find my eyes drawn to it over and over which is what happens to me with other exceptional objects of mystery and beauty, and I haven't even really begun to closely examine it. I am really happy it is in my possession and pleased beyond words. It's definitely in my "top 3" and will certainly be featured with full credits in my monograph on these things if I ever get enough data to publish it!

 Thank you so much MB for making it available to me and for the deal you gave me which made it easier to access. 

(Valued Client, Texas)