Magnificent Silver Decorated Chiseled Hilt Continental Rapier Circa 1620

A Magnificent Silver Decorated Chiseled Hilt Continental Rapier Circa 1620.

The 38 and 1/2 inch diamond section rapier blade with 10 inch superbly pierced section at forte, stamped within the double fullers “JOAN (Juan) MARTIN” and other Latinate letters. The quillon block with large ring guard is superbly chiseled with a Romanesque female head flanked by silver inlaid blossoms, the recesses retaining strong traces of original gilding.

The recurving quillons are decorated on both sides with heavily inlaid silver, the right quillon ending in an African head chiseled in the round and the left ending in a more stylized head chiseled in the round with traced of gilding present in the interior of the ear. Elaborate quatrefoil wood grip bound with complex triple strand twisted steel wire surmounted by finely executed “Turk’s Heads”.

The pommel masterfully carved in the round as an African head with silver inlaid eyes, head band, and silver tongue. Even the teeth are finely delineated. All steel surfaces feature a smooth, beautiful age brown patina with no pitting. The blade with very minor old corrosion but generally fine.

This sword is a work of art in every respect and the silver inlay compliments the splendor of the chiseling. This is a museum piece is 45 and 1/2 inches overall.