Fine and Unique Chiseled European Rapier, First Half 17th C

Description

Featuring slender tapering 40″ blade of flattened hexagonal section with long flat ricasso
stamped with crowned “S” bladesmith’s mark on each side, (indistinct on one side); short
central fuller on each side with line engraved and dotted borders and incised with
‘I.O.H.A.N.I.’ and stamped anchor mark on both sides . Hilt of slender bars of reeded
diamond-section retaining traces of punched and incised decoration and comprising down-
curved quillon with large chiseled foliate terminal carrying an openwork oval pierced with
symmetrical scrollwork on both sides within punched borders and with bud-shaped tip
chiseled with foliage. Large obverse side-ring, tapering knuckle-guard screwed to the
pommel, all chiseled en suite; obverse with down-bent shell-guard extending from the
quillon block and pierced with engraved symmetrical scrollwork. Triangular quillon
block engraved with devil face. Vertically-ribbed grip bound with twisted iron wire between
Turk’s heads. Very good condition with some wear and light pitting commensurate with
age. Overall length 46 5/8″.

Provenance:
Thomas Del Mar, Ltd. in association with Sotheby’s, Antique Arms, Armour & Militaria, 26
June 2007, lot 155, sold for 10,000 British Pounds plus premium (about $24,000 USD at
the time). At a time of rapid inflation it is quite a bargain to obtain a rare work of art like this
at considerably less than it sold for more than 15 years ago.