Lot Essay
The first sword has been used for mourning
Details
TWO SMALL-SWORDS
THE FIRST ENGLISH, CIRCA 1770, THE SECOND CIRCA 1760, PROBABLY FRENCH
The first with colichemarde blade of hollow triangular section lightly etched at the forte, blackened steel hilt with oval shell-guard pierced and chiselled with scrollwork involving trophies, lobe-tipped quillons, knuckle-guard, ovoidal pommel en suite with the shell, and wooden grip bound with plaited horsehair, the second with later slender blade, iron hilt (rust patinated) chiselled in low relief with trophies and rococo scrolls against a gilt ground, associated pommel pierced and chiselled with trophies and masks picket out in gold, and later ivory grip
33in. (83.8cm.) and 34¾in. 88.2cm.) (2)
THE FIRST ENGLISH, CIRCA 1770, THE SECOND CIRCA 1760, PROBABLY FRENCH
The first with colichemarde blade of hollow triangular section lightly etched at the forte, blackened steel hilt with oval shell-guard pierced and chiselled with scrollwork involving trophies, lobe-tipped quillons, knuckle-guard, ovoidal pommel en suite with the shell, and wooden grip bound with plaited horsehair, the second with later slender blade, iron hilt (rust patinated) chiselled in low relief with trophies and rococo scrolls against a gilt ground, associated pommel pierced and chiselled with trophies and masks picket out in gold, and later ivory grip
33in. (83.8cm.) and 34¾in. 88.2cm.) (2)