Thomas Del Mar - Arms & Armour

158
A RARE ITALIAN SHORTSWORD, LATE 16TH CENTURY,
PROBABLY VENETIAN
with straight single-edged blade tapering towards the point,
formed with a broad shallow fuller on each face over much
of its length, retaining traces of a latten inlaid running wolf
mark and a further mark on the reverse towards the forte,
steel hilt comprising short rear quillon of near square
section tapering to a stout pyramidal point, strongly upturned
quillon extending to form a knuckle-guard, a pair of
triangular écussons, an additional up-turned frontal bar of
similar length, near conical pommel, and original leathercovered
banded wooden grip (the steel parts with areas of
very light pitting, one patch of the grip worn)
64.2cm; 25D in blade
The form of the hilt is notably rare and is reminiscent of
earlier Venetian swords, a number of which are preserved
in the armoury of the Doge’s Palace, Venice. See L. G.
Boccia & E. T. Coelho 1975, nos. 150-164.
£3500-4500
68
158 159
PROPERTY REMOVED FROM A STYRIAN CASTLE
159
A RARE VENETIAN SHORTSWORD, LATE 17TH/18TH
CENTURY
with broad tapering blade struck with a star mark and cut
with a short narrow fuller on each face, steel hilt
comprising down-curved quillon with faceted terminal,
knuckle-guard with scrolling finial, strongly up-turned frontguard
formed of a pear-shaped plate and stamped with a
mark at the top (worn), and shield-shaped pommel of
schiavona form, and retaining an early wooden grip (the
steel parts chemically cleaned, grip wormed)
72.2cm; 28I in blad
A similar sword formerly in the Scott Collection at
Greenock is illustrated, F. Joubert 1924, vol. ii, section V.
£800-1000