Details
AN ENGLISH RAPIER
CIRCA 1620-30
With shortened tapering single-edged blade bordered along the back by a single fuller changing to double on each face, the forte struck on each face with marks comprising rosettes, orbs and crosses, iron hilt (slight damage) encrusted throughout in silver (rubbed, minor losses) with running tendrils carrying foliage and flowers and framing elongated reclining figures, all within pearled borders, comprising cup formed of large double concentric side-rings framing a pair of central scallop-shaped shells, and linked by curved side-bars to the knuckle-guard, vertically recurved quillons, fluted pommel of elongated oval shape, and wire-bound wooden grip (binding loose)
31in. (78.7cm.)
CIRCA 1620-30
With shortened tapering single-edged blade bordered along the back by a single fuller changing to double on each face, the forte struck on each face with marks comprising rosettes, orbs and crosses, iron hilt (slight damage) encrusted throughout in silver (rubbed, minor losses) with running tendrils carrying foliage and flowers and framing elongated reclining figures, all within pearled borders, comprising cup formed of large double concentric side-rings framing a pair of central scallop-shaped shells, and linked by curved side-bars to the knuckle-guard, vertically recurved quillons, fluted pommel of elongated oval shape, and wire-bound wooden grip (binding loose)
31in. (78.7cm.)
Provenance
A portrait (see illustration) of Nicholas Miller (d. 1640), the original owner of the rapier, in which it appears, was sold at Christie's South Kensington, 17 September 1992, lot 25