Full description |
A FRENCH SMALL-SWORD WITH FINELY CHISELLED AND GILT HILT, CIRCA 1740
with two-stage blade of flattened-hexagonal section, etched and gilt over the greater part of its surface with allegorical figures, scrolls, strapwork panels, brief inscriptions, a crown and a fleur-de-lys on each side, etched with a panel of scrollwork on a gilt ground at the forte, steel hilt comprising double shell-guard chiselled with rococo scrolls, shell ornament and flowers on a gilt ground on the outside, and elaborate classical scenes including Jupiter and Helios surrounded by putti and scrolls inside, a pair of slightly down-turned quillons with chiselled monster head finials, quillon-block decorated on the front with a pair of bound prisoners and trophies-of-arms, knuckle-guard decorated with further scrolls, reinforced with an additional slender scrolling bar at the base, and ovoid pommel chiselled with further classical figures en suite with the shell, all on a finely matted gilt ground, and later grip, in its scabbard with later leather covering and finely chiselled and gilt locket, chape and middle band en suite with the hilt
77cm; 30 3/8in blade
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