CIRCA 1570
Details
A Fine Saxon Swept-Hilt Rapier
Circa 1570
The broad tapering blade of flattened diamond section with narrow full-length fuller on each face stamped 'Me Fecit' and 'Valencia', both faces of the forte etched with the arms and combined badges of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain and spurious Arabic lettering, each face of the ricasso struck with a mark, the silvered iron hilt with guard of slender bars, on the outside fluted and interrupted by spherical knops, and on the inside plain, comprising long diagonally recurved quillons, arms, the tips linked by an oval side-ring and joined to the knuckle-guard by a single S-shaped bar, trifurcated inner guard, fluted mushroom-shaped pommel, and original grip bound with silver wire
40 5/16in. (102.4cm.) blade
Circa 1570
The broad tapering blade of flattened diamond section with narrow full-length fuller on each face stamped 'Me Fecit' and 'Valencia', both faces of the forte etched with the arms and combined badges of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain and spurious Arabic lettering, each face of the ricasso struck with a mark, the silvered iron hilt with guard of slender bars, on the outside fluted and interrupted by spherical knops, and on the inside plain, comprising long diagonally recurved quillons, arms, the tips linked by an oval side-ring and joined to the knuckle-guard by a single S-shaped bar, trifurcated inner guard, fluted mushroom-shaped pommel, and original grip bound with silver wire
40 5/16in. (102.4cm.) blade
Provenance
Earl of Londesborough, Christie's, 4 July 1888, Lot 31
Edwin J. Brett, Christie's, 18-21, 25, 26 March 1895, Lot 187
Baron C.A. Cosson
R.T. Gwynn
Anon. sale, Christie's, Geneva, 26 April 1977, Lot 32
Edwin J. Brett, Christie's, 18-21, 25, 26 March 1895, Lot 187
Baron C.A. Cosson
R.T. Gwynn
Anon. sale, Christie's, Geneva, 26 April 1977, Lot 32
Literature
E.J. Brett, A Pictorial and Descriptive Record of...Arms and Armour, 1894, plate LXV, 5
Baron C.A. de Cosson, 'On some ancient sword-blades bearing spurious inscriptions', Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries, 25, XVIII (1899-1900), pp. 205-9
Laking, fig. 1366
J.F. Hayward, 'A Notable Private Collection. XVth and XVIth Century Armour and Swords in the Collection of R.T. Gwynn, Esquire', The Connoisseur Year Book, 1954, p. 44, fig. XIX (c)
Claude Blair, European and American Arms, plate 116
Baron C.A. de Cosson, 'On some ancient sword-blades bearing spurious inscriptions', Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries, 25, XVIII (1899-1900), pp. 205-9
Laking, fig. 1366
J.F. Hayward, 'A Notable Private Collection. XVth and XVIth Century Armour and Swords in the Collection of R.T. Gwynn, Esquire', The Connoisseur Year Book, 1954, p. 44, fig. XIX (c)
Claude Blair, European and American Arms, plate 116
Further details
See front cover illustration