121 |
A TWO-HAND SWORD, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 16TH CENTURY, POSSIBLY VENETIAN with straight double-edged blade of flattened-hexagonal section, stamped three times with the bladesmith's mark, the so-called mill-rind, within a short fuller on each side (rubbed), formed with a pair of stout triangular lugs at the forte and cut with four very short fullers on each side of the ricasso, steel hilt comprising straight quillons of swelling-section (one terminal with very heavy pitting), block-shaped quillon-block formed with a long écusson and decorated with pairs of lines on each side, and faceted plummet-shaped pommel incised with pairs of lines, and later leather-covered wooden grip (wormed, the steel parts pitted throughout) 125cm; 49 1/4in blade The form of the blade is common to other examples in the armoury of the Doge's Palace, Venice. The bladesmith's marks are encountered on a number of swords from Venice and elsewhere, from the 15th century onwards. See U. Franzoi 1990 pp. 30-32. £5000-7000 | 5% |
|
7500 |
| 122 | A RARE HAND-AND-A-HALF SWORD, SECOND QUARTER OF THE 16TH CENTURY, PROBABLY SWISS with slightly curved blade double-edged for its last third, cut with an almost full length fuller on each side and stamped with a small cross mark on the reverse, steel half-basket hilt of faceted scrolling bars, including horizontally recurved quillons with writhen knop-shaped terminals, the rear quillon slightly canted upwards, trefoil-shaped outer ring-guard joined to the inner-guard by a scrolling bar, an additional projecting bar beneath with a finial en suite with the quillons, knuckle-guard formed of a pair of bars joined by an additional S-shaped bar, bifurcated inner-guard, the principal bars interrupted by faceted mouldings and pairs of incised chevrons, writhen plummet-shaped pommel (one small chip at the base), and retaining an early two-stage wooden grip with much of its leather covering 97.2cm; 38 3/8in blade Provenance Galerie Fischer 7/8th May 1935, Zurich, lot. no. 5 A sword of with a similar blade and hilt is preserved in the Deutsche Historisches Museum, Berlin. See H. Müller and H. Kölling 1990, no. 93. For a discussion of this group see E. A. Gessler 1912 pp. 303-313. £8000-10000 | 5% |
|
10000 |
| 123 | A FINE GERMAN EXECUTIONER'S SWORD, DATED 1684 with broad heavy double-edged blade formed with a characteristic rounded tip, etched at the forte with Christ crucified, the inscription 'Justicia', three men suspended from a gibbet, an execution scene and a pious inscription on one side, and with Christ crucified, a wheel dividing further pious inscriptions and an oval panel filled with verse including the date on the other (the etching worn), brass hilt comprising a pair of straight moulded quilllons with spirally-fluted globular terminals, incised with the date on one side of the cross-piece and the initials 'IH' on the other, and faceted plummet-shaped pommel en suite with the quillons over the upper portion, and retaining its original grip of plaited string (the cross-pieces loose), in its leather-covered wooden scabbard with large brass mounts 83.1cm; 32 3/4in blade Provenance E. Oser Collection, Basel, sold Dr.Störi Kunstsalon, Zurich, 6th December 1929, lot 146 The inscriptions include: 'Veracht nit mich und die mein....shaven dich unddied....nie....chavandich und....mich vatheie nit wietumi ....h sicht wer was o.tuay ...ch frumb bist...a anno 1684' £8000-10000 | 5% |
|
8000 |
| 124 | A RARE ITALIAN SHORTSWORD, LATE 16TH CENTURY with broad tapering blade of flattened-diamond section, stamped with a bladesmith's mark, and cut with a short fuller framed by a series of decorative lines and dots terminating with a cross on each side, hilt of faceted bars comprising a pair of straight quillons with slightly forward-canted drooping terminals swelling towards their terminals, outer ring-guard, and faceted mushroom-shaped pommel, and the grip with a later binding of twisted wire and 'Turk's heads' 64.8cm; 25 1/2in blade Provenance The Bodmer Collection, Schloss Kyburg, circa 1920 The Kuppelmayr Collection, no. 199 in the 1895 catalogue where it is stated that this came from Turin. £3000-4000 | 5% |
|
3000 |
| 125 | A NORTH EUROPEAN CAVALRY SWORD, MID-17TH CENTUIRY, PROBABLY SWEDISH with broad tapering blade stamped three times on each side with the bladesmith's mark, the sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham, ahead of a short fuller occupied by the repeated signature 'Weilm Tesche' with two running wolves between and a cross-and-orb mark at each end, steel hilt of flattened bars, comprising a pair of vertically recurved quillons widening towards the tips and terminating in small bud-shaped finials, outer ring-guard enclosing a pierced sprung-in plate, rising to a bar forming an additional outer guard at the front, flattened pear-shaped pommel, thumb-loop and decorated throughout with punched and engraved scrollwork on a stippled ground, and wooden grip with later wire-wrapped cord and 'Turk's heads' 95.2cm; 37 1/2in blade Provenance Dr Giesker, Zurich, 1949 A sword with a blade by Johannes Tesche and an almost identical hilt is preserved in the Livrustkammaren, Stockholm. For a discussion of this, and another example preserved in the Royal Armouries Leeds, see W. Reid 1970 pp. 60-68. £3000-4000 | 5% |
|
5200 |
| 126 | A SWISS CAVALRY SWORD, SECOND QUARTER OF THE 17TH CENTURY with contemporary very broad curved blade double-edged at the point, cut at each side with three long fullers along the back-edge, stamped with the sacred trigram 'IHS' and a series of decorative marks on one side, steel hilt of flattened bars, comprising horizontally recurved quillons with lion mask terminals, trefoil-shaped ring-guard, an S-shaped outer guard interrupted by a pair of hatched mouldings, knuckle-guard decorated en suite, inner-guard of two bars incorporating a thumb-loop, lionshead pommel, and the frontal bars punched and lightly engraved with scrolls, and retaining a spirally-carved grip bound with twisted wire and 'Turk's heads' 85.4cm; 33 5/8in blade Provenance The Moser Collection £3000-4000 | 5% |
|
3600 |
| 127 | A SWISS CAVALRY SWORD, SECOND QUARTER OF THE 17TH CENTURY with contemporary curved blade double-edged at the point, cut with a slender fuller along its back-edge, engraved with exotic birds, bust profiles, scrolling foliage, and inscriptions including the later date 1663, steel hilt of flattened bars decorated with punched ornament on a stippled ground and comprising down-curved quillon with scrolling terminal, knuckle-guard interrupted by a broad moulding in the centre, outer ring-guard fitted with a sprung-in plate, boldly embossed and chased with stylised acanthus foliage and joined to the pommel by an additional bar en suite with the knuckle-guard, thumb-loop, finely chiselled pommel, and wooden grip retaining some of its early wire binding 91.8cm; 36 1/8in blade Provenance The Moser Collection. £2000-3000 | 5% |
|
2000 |
| 128 | A DAGGER, PROBABLY ITALIAN LATE 16TH CENTURY with contemporary broad tapering double-edged blade, steel hilt of faceted bars, comprising a pair of strongly down-curved forward-canted quillons swelling towards the terminals, large side-ring, and large oval pommel, and the grip bound with plaited steel wire and 'Turk's heads' 46.3cm; 18 1/4in £1000-1500 | Nil |
|
1000 |
| 129 | AN ITALIAN MULTI-RING RAPIER, SECOND QUARTER OF THE 17TH CENTURY with associated blade of flattened-diamond section, symmetrical steel hilt of characteristic form, comprising a pair of shortened straight quillons, outer ring-guard of five bars, fitted with an up-turned pierced fluted scalloped plate beneath, knuckle-guard and flattened tapering barrel-shaped pommel (repairs), and wire bound grip with Turk's heads 94.5cm; 37 1/4in blade £500-700 | Nil |
|
1300 |
| 130 | A SPANISH BROADSWORD, EARLY 18TH CENTURY with broad blade of flattened-hexagonal section, stamped with two marks towards the forte, steel hilt including up-turned shell-guard front and rear, a pair of short recurved quillons, knuckle-guard, and bun-shaped pommel, and the grip bound with copper wire reinforced with iron bars 88.2cm; 34 3/4in blade £300-500 | Nil |
|
750 |
| 131 | A RARE ITALIAN LONG STILETTO, SECOND HALF OF THE 17TH CENTURY with tapering long slender blade of flattened-diamond section, integral cruciform hilt comprising a moulded baluster-shaped central bar, and a pair of quillons formed en suite retained by a central screw 72cm; 28 3/8in blade Provenance Galerie Fischer 2nd- 5th June 1937, lot 2451 The shape of the hilt suggests that this may have been intended as a concealed weapon to be carried by pilgrims. £1000-1500 | 5% |
|
1000 |
| 132 | AN EXTREMELY RARE SCABBARD FOR A CUP-HILT RAPIER, LATE 17TH/18TH CENTURY formed with a pair of wooden fillets covered with leather rising up to a broad mouth to enclose the cup-guard and the inside of the upper portion lined with paper over stitched card (worn overall, losses) 101cm; 39 3/4in £100-200 | Nil |
|
100 |
| 133 | A NORTH EUROPEAN SWORD, CIRCA 1640 AND LATER, AND TWO CUP-HILT RAPIERS IN 17TH CENTURY STYLE the first stamped 'Sahagom' within a short fuller on each side of the blade, steel hilt of moulded bars, including a pair of down-turned quillons with faceted globular terminals (one repaired), inner and outer ring-guards fitted with a chiselled sprung-in plate, knuckle-guard, thumb-loop and globular pommel (pitted throughout); the second and third with engraved blades, steel hilts including cup-guards, a pair of straight quillons, knuckle-guard, pommels, and each incorporating some early elements the first: 86.4cm; 34in blade (3) £350-450 | Nil |
|
1050 |
| 134 | AN ENGLISH BASKET-HILTED BROADSWORD, MID-17TH CENTURY with slender blade of flattened-diamond section (pitted), steel 'mortuary' hilt decorated with a radiating pattern of lines, moulded knuckle-guard joined by a pair of moulded scrolling bars to an additional bar at the front and the back (one broken), globular pommel incised en suite with the guard, and retaining traces of silver decoration (patinated, later grip) 89.5cm; 35 1/4in blade £600-800 | Nil |
|
1000 |
| 135 | AN ENGLISH DISH HILT RAPIER, CIRCA 1640-50 with associated tapering blade of flattened-hexagonal section, steel hilt comprising dish-guard pierced with a design of scrolling foliage within an eight-petalled flower, quillon with globular terminal (shortened), knuckle-guard interrupted by a moulding en suite and compressed spherical pommel, and the grip with a later binding of twisted wire (heavily patinated throughout) 81.2cm; 32in blade £400-600 | Nil |
|
800 |
| 136 | AN ENGLISH BASKET-HILTED BACKSWORD IN MID-17TH CENTURY STYLE with fullered blade, steel basket-guard of so-called mortuary type, engraved with rudimentary masks and scrollwork, and plummet-shaped pommel decorated en suite 78.5cm; 30 7/8in blade £200-250 | Nil |
|
800 |
| 137 | AN ENGLISH SMALL-SWORD, CIRCA 1780 with two-stage blade of flattened-hexagonal section, etched with a gilt scrollwork panel filled with a bouquet and a gilt panel etched with strapwork and a trophy-of-arms on each side at the forte, steel hilt comprising petal-shaped oval shell-guard pierced with a series of radiating slots filled with foliage, the inner face studded with a running pattern of faceted beads, globular quillon, a pair of small arms, knuckle-guard interrupted by a faceted moulding, and faceted ovoid pommel, and retaining an early grip of plaited wire, ribband and Turk's heads, in its original vellum-covered wooden scabbard complete with steel suspension chain and belt clip 83.1cm; 32 3/4in blade Provenance E. Oser Collection, Basel, sold Dr.Störi Kunstsalon, Zurich, 6th December 1929, lot 58 £600-800 | 5% |
|
1300 |
| 138 | AN ENGLISH SMALL-SWORD WITH CUT STEEL HILT, CIRCA 1800 with hollow-triangular blade etched and gilt with sprays of foliage and a wreath on a blued panel at the forte, steel hilt including pierced oval guard, a pair of faceted planar quillons, knuckle-chain and ovoid pommel all set with faceted beads, and solid grip formed en suite, in a contemporary fishskin-covered wooden scabbard with engraved gilt-brass mounts 74.8cm; 29 3/8in blade Provenance The Jagdkammer of the Reichsgrafen von Kaunitz, sold Galerie Fischer, Zurich 13th May 1936, lot no. 30 £400-600 | 5% |
|
1100 |
| 139 | A TRANSITIONAL SMALL-SWORD, CIRCA 1680 with later hollow-triangular blade, steel hilt comprising inner and outer ring-guards each interrupted by a central moulding and fitted with a pierced sprung-in plate, a pair of short quillons with slightly canted swollen terminals, fluted quillon block, fluted ovoid pommel, and decorated throughout with silver pellets, beadwork and flowerheads (rubbed, later grip) 76.4cm; 30 1/8in blade £500-700 | Nil |
|
650 |
| 140 | AN ENGLISH SMALL-SWORD, EARLY 19TH CENTURY with hollow-triangular blade, steel hilt set with groups of faceted beads, comprising oval shell-guard pierced in imitation of an expanded flowerhead, a pair of slender arms, quillon, knuckle-guard and faceted plummet-shaped pommel, and solid grip decorated en suite 82.5cm; 32 1/2in blade Provenance The Bodmer Collection, Schloss Kyburg, circa 1920 £200-250 | 5% |
|
320 |
| 141 | A GROUP OF FIFTEEN VARIOUS SMALL SWORD SCABBARDS, 18TH AND 19TH CENTURIES including one of wood covered with parchment with silver locket signed "Cullum Charing Cross" (chape missing); another of wood covered with parchment with steel locket and chape, each decorated with rococo garlands and a trophy-of-arms, a court sword scabbard with chiselled steel locket, another by Moore, Old Bond Street (chape missing) and eleven other scabbards (extensive wear, losses) (15) £100-150 | Nil |
|
760 |
| 142 | AN UNUSUAL FRENCH SMALL-SWORD, CIRCA 1760 with slender two-stage blade, the upper portion of flattened-hexagonal section and etched with a running pattern of foliage in the centre along its full length, etched over the forte with scrollwork and a pair of couplets on each side, steel hilt comprising double shell-guard pierced with a symmetrical arrangement of scrolling tendrils within a frame of foliage (light pitting), fluted globular quillon, fluted knuckle-guard interrupted by a foliate moulding, pierced quillon-block and hollow ovoid pommel each en suite with the shell-guard, and spirally-fluted grip of plaited wire, in its leather scabbard with iron locket, chape and middle band all etched en suite with the blade 72.7cm; 28 5/8in Provenance E. Oser Collection, Basel, sold Dr.Störi Kunstsalon, Zurich, 6th December 1929, lot 45 The couplets read 'ne me tire pas sans raisons' and 'ne me remette point sans honneur'. £600-700 | 5% |
|
1400 |
| 143 | A FRENCH SMALL-SWORD, CIRCA 1760 with hollow-triangular blade etched with scrollwork at the forte, steel hilt cast, pierced and chiselled with scrolling foliage, including double-shell-guard decorated with bouquets and a band of strapwork, globular quillon, knuckle-guard, quillon-block and pommel the latter two each en suite with the shell-guard, and the grip bound with plaited silver wire and copper ribband (small areas of light pitting) 72.5cm; 28 5/8in blade Provenance The Bodmer Collection, Schloss Kyburg, circa 1920 £600-700 | 5% |
|
850 |
| 144 | A FRENCH SMALL-SWORD, CIRCA 1780 with hollow-triangular blade etched with strapwork and rococo ornament at the forte, steel hilt comprising double shell-guard pierced with an alternating arrangement of flowers and foliage framed within roped strapwork borders, globular quillon and knuckle-guard each pierced with a trellis pattern, and quillon-block and ovoid pommel each en suite with the shell, and wooden grip retaining an early binding of plaited silver wire, ribband and 'Turk's heads' (the ribband with areas of wear) 79.5cm; 31 3/8in blade Provenance The Bodmer Collection, Schloss Kyburg, circa 1920 £600-800 | 5% |
|
900 |
| 145 | A FRENCH SILVER-HILTED OFFICER'S SWORD, STRASBOURG SILVER MARKS FOR 1764 with two-stage blade of flattened-hexagonal section, etched and gilt with scrolls, strapwork and a bird of prey on a blued panel and a trophy-of-arms on a gilt panel on each side of the forte, silver hilt cast and chased with gadrooned border ornament, including boatshell guard, a pair of quillons with globular terminals, and flattened ovoid pommel, and retaining an early grip of plaited silver wire and 'Turk's heads', in a contemporary leather-covered wooden scabbard with silver locket (the scabbard repaired) 73cm; 28 3/4in blade Provenance E. Oser Collection, Basel, sold Dr.Störi Kunstsalon, Zurich, 6th December 1929, lot 47 £400-500 | 5% |
|
1600 |
| 146 | A FRENCH OFFICER'S SMALL-SWORD, CIRCA 1860 with hollow-triangular blade signed 'Coulaux & Cie' at the forte, gilt-brass hilt cast with empire ornament in low relief, including boatshell guard, and ovoid pommel decorated with a spray of laurel surmounted by an eagle displayed on each side, and original grip of twisted brass wire and a chased brass collar top and bottom, in its original leather scabbard with brass mounts en suite with the hilt 84.5cm; 33 1/4in blade Provenance E. Oser Collection, Basel, sold Dr.Störi Kunstsalon, Zurich, 6th December 1929, lot 65 £250-350 | 5% |
|
550 |
| 147 | A GERMAN SMALL-SWORD, CIRCA 1680 with associated tapering hollow-ground blade stamped 'Virtute Fortuna' and 'Solingen Me Fecit' between a series of decorative marks within a short slender fuller on the respective faces, gilt-brass hilt, comprising double shell-guard with fluted borders interrupted by addorsed reclining figures, decorated with a pierced arrangement of scrolling tendrils carrying differing scenes on each side, globular quillon chiselled as a grotesque (repaired), fluted knuckle-guard interrupted by a warrior vignette on each side, pierced ovoid pommel chiselled en suite with the shell, and the grip retaining some of its early wire binding and 'Turk's heads' 84cm; 33in blade £500-600 | 5% |
|
1200 |
| 148 | A GERMAN SMALL-SWORD, CIRCA 1800 with hollow-triangular blade etched and gilt with scrolls and foliage on a blued panel over the lower portion, silver hilt comprising shallow oval shell-guard with notched border, a pair of small faceted arms, short drooping quillon, knuckle-guard widening in the centre, faceted ovoid pommel, and solid grip en suite with the pommel, in its original leather scabbard with silver locket and chape, the former incorporating a ring for suspension and stamped with the purity mark '13.' in a rectangle 86cm; 33 7/8in blade Provenance E. Oser Collection, Basel, sold Dr.Störi Kunstsalon, Zurich, 6th December 1929, lot 59 £1500-2500 | 5% |
|
1500 |
| 149 | A GERMAN SMALL-SWORD, CIRCA 1770 with slender blade of flattened-hexagonal-section signed 'Francisco Ruis' and 'En Toledo' within a short fuller on the respective faces, gilt-brass hilt cast and chased with rococo ornament in low relief, comprising double shell-guard decorated with scrolls and scallop patterns on a punched ground, forward-canted globular quillon, knuckle-guard, ovoid pommel, and solid grip decorated en suite 73cm; 28 3/4in blade Provenance The Jagdkammer of the Reichsgrafen von Kaunitz, sold Galerie Fischer, Zurich 13th May 1936, lot no. 28 £800-1000 | 5% |
|
1500 |
| 150 | A RARE SILVER-HILTED SMALLSWORD, CIRCA 1780, PROBABLY GERMAN with two-stage blade retaining some etched and gilt decoration including the figure of Justice over the lower portion, inscribed 'Pro Deo et Patria' on a gilt panel on one side of the forte, silver hilt pierced and chiselled with rococo flowerheads and scrollwork, comprising globular quillon, knuckle-guard and a broad outer ring-guard centring on an oval panel pierced with a trellis arrangement of flowerheads, quillon-block scalloped at base to cover the throat of the scabbard, globular pommel and swelling grip each decorated en suite, in an associated silver-mounted leather scabbard (the lower portion now in two pieces) 74.5cm; 29 1/4in blade Provenance The Bodmer Collection, Schloss Kyburg, circa 1920 £600-800 | 5% |
|
1200 |
