1661 Partisan

1661) GILDED AND PUNCHED ITALIAN PARTISAN CIRCA 1600 FROM A BURGUNDIAN CASTLE:

Discussion: Very simply put, a partisan is a sword blade on a pole. Yes, a simple but very effective weapon. Like the sword, the partisan combines the benefits of stabbing and slashing. The head of the Partisan consists of a wide two edge tapering blade to a very sharp tip. It has lugs originating from the bottom of the blade for parrying. Like a sword, it has sharp edges on both sides of the blade. The Partisan is mounted on a wooden haft for a total length of about 9 ft. The Partisan (partigiana) evolved circa 1475 in Italy from a triangular head spear (see 24 in my book on page 349 in my book) of 40-45 cm in length. As it evolved into the late 1500s, the blade increased to about 75 cm, and the medial ridge became more pronounced. The partisan also had a very important advantage: it was easy to use and learn. The unskilled could very quickly master its use. As soon as the early 1500s, the Partisan was widely used throughout Western Europe. Unlike some weapons, the Partisan was not closely associated with a particular social class. Farmers could carry and use Partisans, while the wealthy opted for elaborately decorated versions of the same weapon for parades and guards, such as the example under discussion.

Description: Long, broad, gilded tapering blade formed with a full-length strong medial ridge, at its base a pair of basal flukes decorated with pointille ( punched) and gilding. An octagonal tapering socket gilded en suite extending to a parrying hook at its base, replaced haft covered with cloth and held by rivets, with a huge and elegant tassel. Pointillé or Punched Decoration was the first incised decoration consisting of a set of punched dots known as pointillé. Pointillé was executed directly onto white metal; it was more common in the 14th-15th centuries. However, it could be found on 17th-century armor and weapons. A gilded (gold) finish attaches to metal when heated. For the gold to attach, it must become a paste solution with mercury, called amalgam. The amalgam is applied to the surface to be decorated and gently heated until the mercury evaporates, leaving the gold embedded in the metal.

Conclusion: Original gilding on any arms and armor is rare. This is a very elegant partisan that makes a statement. It was probably used by the guards of a very wealthy nobleman. It’s a great addition to any staff weapon collection or any collector who only wants a single highly impressive and decorative staff weapon. This partisan makes a statement. It is priced to sell today for less than you think. ACT NOW!!!*