North Italian Chiseled and Pierced Cuphilt Rapier, ca. 1660

Description

Steel hilt with deep cup chiseled and pierced with floral decoration, incised concentric
rings, and roped edge. Straight 10″ quillons with spiral ends and button finials; integral
knuckle bow decorated ensuite; bun-shaped pommel with spiral fluting and button.
Original spiral grip wrapped with different sizes of twisted iron wire and finished with
braided turks heads top and bottom. Slender 37 ½” blade of diamond section with short
central fuller clearly stamped “XX IHN SOLINGEN XX” on each side. Very good overall
condition with scattered light pitting and some surface rust (primarily on the grip and
pommel, easily cleaned). Overall length 44″. Provenance: Czerny’s Auction House,
Sarzana, Italy, May 12, 2002, Lot 81.