2021 Antique Rapier
2021) ELEGANT CHISELED RAPIER CIRCA 1590 WITH GERMANIC TASTE:
Introduction: An example of this sword typology can be found in the painting of Christian IV of Denmark in 1603, before receiving the Order of the Garter. Another is a painting by Juan Pantoja de la Cruz of Diego Villamayor, dated 1605.
Description: Under the Norman classification, this is a hilt 58 (1560-1635), a pommel 34 (circa 1570-1625), and an inner guard 31. Constructed with a strong diamond-section two fullered tapering blade with a very sharp point, rectangular ricasso slightly tapering, originating at the chevron-shaped quillon block, The guard consists of two structural side rings flanking the base of the hilt, the lower ring is filled with an ornamental, perforated metal plate designed to protect the hand from incoming thrusts, a prominent diagonal bar sweeps upward from the larger ring to integrate into the knuckle bow, recurved quillons, ferrell’s at each end of the wire replaced grip. Maker’s mark at the ricasso.
Length: 46 inches.
Condition: Very good but may have been cleaned to German standards.
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. A highly expensive, ornate rapier 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. 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 later was 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.
Comparables: include from such notable institutions as:
– A Odescalchi Collection inv # 223.
– Wallace Collection cat # A589.
– Zürich Landesmuseum Inv. No. AG2476
Provenance: From a private American collection.
Conclusion: Even if you’re not a rapier collector, the rapier was such an important part of Renaissance Europe that you should have at least one in your collection. This is an elegant rapier that makes a statement when you look across the room and see it hanging on the wall. Priced to sell today.
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