LATE 15TH CENTURY
Details
An Italian Bill (Roncone)
Late 15th Century
With long flat head (rust pitted throughout) with convex edge and a single back-spike, dividing at the top onto a stiff vertical spike and a flat claw-like front hook, at the base two straight small side-spikes, and tapering socket of oblong section, the head engraved with motifs and along the back with inscriptions, those on one face comprising repectively the arms of the Bentivoglio family of Bologna in a circle and the name 'Pandolfo', those on the other illegible, on later wooden velvet-covered staff (velvet worn), studded with nails with pyramidal heads and with tassel
31in. (76.9cm.) head
Late 15th Century
With long flat head (rust pitted throughout) with convex edge and a single back-spike, dividing at the top onto a stiff vertical spike and a flat claw-like front hook, at the base two straight small side-spikes, and tapering socket of oblong section, the head engraved with motifs and along the back with inscriptions, those on one face comprising repectively the arms of the Bentivoglio family of Bologna in a circle and the name 'Pandolfo', those on the other illegible, on later wooden velvet-covered staff (velvet worn), studded with nails with pyramidal heads and with tassel
31in. (76.9cm.) head