Bonhams 1793 : An Italian Cup-Hilt Rapier

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28 Nov 2012 11:00 GMT London, Knightsbridge
Antique Arms and Armour including items from the E.A. Christensen Collection
Back to auction 19796

An Italian Cup-Hilt Rapier
Mid-17th Century

With tapering blade of hollowed diamond section and of exceptional length, hollowed rectangular ricasso struck on one side with a mark, the hilt with straight slightly tapering quillons of circular section incised with waved decoration, pointed langets, knuckle-guard and compressed pommel en suite, the last with flattened button, faceted grip bound with twisted iron wire between Turk's heads, pierced guardapolvo, and cup pierced and engraved with bands of foliage between plain turned borders, the wide upper band inhabited by a monkey, a bird and monsters (some scattered pitting)
126 cm. blade

Sold for £3,750 inc. premium