1968 Antique Rapier

1968) EXCEPTIONAL ITALIAN RAPIER CIRCA 1570 WITH FILED CHEQUERING DECORATION WITH ORIGINAL BLACK FINISH:

Introduction: A highly expensive, ornate, wide blade rapier such as this example was the equivalent of a person in our day and age making a fashion or opulence statement by wearing very expensive jewelry, such as a Rolex or Audemars Piguet watch. Wide blade rapiers are forgiving and robust, designed for close-quarters melee at a time and place when a typical rapier would not hold up to the carnage, impact, and violence.

Description: Under the Norman typology, this would be a Hilt 43 (used from 1550 to 1630) with a type 14 spherical pommel, tubular-shaped vertically-recurved quillons expanding at the tips, a chevron-shaped quillon block, hilt decorated en suite with filed checkered design. A short rectangular ricasso with makers mark, the remaining blade with a double-edged blade of flattened hexagonal sections tapering to a point, possibly original wood and leather grip with Turk‚ heads. This typology of hilt consists of a pair of quillons supporting a side ring, with arms and a second, usually smaller, side ring at the ends. Hilt decorated en suite with chequering.

Approximate length: 43 inches.

Condition: very good.

Comparables: There are numerous examples in museums throughout the world, including:

-Schloss Ambras

-A near identical example in the Wallace collection A-481 plate 109.

-Five examples of this sword typology can be found in Filippo Urso’s designs, dated 1554 and preserved in the Victoria and Albert Museum (# CVIIII CX, DV, EIII, and EVI).

Provenance: Deaccessioned from a museum, which will be made available to the new owner.

Discussion: In a day and age lacking appropriate policing, the private citizen was forced to protect himself from society‚ criminal dregs. The weapon of choice was the rapier from the middle of the 16th to the end of the 17th century. The rapier is a simple but highly effective sword against the non-armored. The rapier was primarily a thrusting weapon that could inflict serious injury to an adversary‚ vital organs with minimal effort. It was also an exceptional slashing and cutting weapon; however, the slash was not as lethal as the thrust. The slash was used more as a feint to set up a finishing thrust. The slash was also a dire warning to a would-be assailant of the horrors to quickly follow if he chose not to acquiesce.

The rapier is almost undeniably of Spanish origin and is probably Spain‚ most significant contribution to the Renaissance arms race. However, they were made in larger numbers in Germany and Italy.

Because fencing is more of a thrusting art, it became commonplace throughout Europe to have as long a blade as possible to obtain an advantage. This extravagance in length reached the point that municipalities passed statutes regarding the allowable lengths of blades. Those in violation had the misfortune of having their rapier‚ blades cropped at the tip at the city gate to comply. One example of these statutes is from an English Royal Proclamation on March 17, 1557.

The French adopted the phrase “espee rapiere” by 1475, which was later shortened to simply ‚”rapiere.” The English, in 1505, spelled it “rappyer.” The Giles Duwes English/ French dictionary of 1532/3 adopted the rapier’s definition as “Spannyshe sworde.” By 1550, the term rapier had been adopted to describe a slender, sharply pointed sword designed for thrusting, cutting, and slashing attacks. The rapier now consisted of a hilt protected by a handguard.

Conclusion: Even if you do not collect rapiers, it’s always good to have one in your collection because rapiers were such an important part of Renaissance Europe. World-class rapiers like this one seldom make it to the collector’s market. For those who prefer rapiers without elaborate decoration but still want to make a statement of power and wealth, this is the rapier you have been waiting for. Ironically, the checkered filing design is more difficult to complete than many types of ornate inlays. This exceptional sword would be a welcome addition to any collection or museum. This is a rare opportunity. ACT KNOW to avoid disappointment!!!*

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