A German Swept-Hilt Rapier In Early 17th Century Style
29
A German Swept-Hilt Rapier In Early 17th Century Style
Probably From The Workshop Of Anton Konrad Of Dresden
With earlier flattened tapering double-edged blade blunt at the point and stamped 'Gio Knegt' on the outer face of the forte, and 'In Solingen' on the inner, rectangular ricasso with incised single-line borders, robust iron hilt of flattened bars with punched finish, comprising two outer slotted rings each centred on a pair of raised volutes, three slender curved diagonal bars merging into one on the inner side, arms, single slotted long downcurved rear quillon terminating in a raised volute, knuckle-guard en suite, quillon-block with a pair of raised volutes en suite, large pierced flattened pommel also with raised volutes on each face, and spirally fluted wooden grip bound with twisted steel wire (Turk's heads missing)
100.2 cm. blade
Estimate:
£1,000 - 1,500
US$ 1,500 - 2,300
€1,200 - 1,800

Footnotes

  • Provenance:
    Acquired from the dealer Aage Becker, Denmark, January 1957

    Literature:
    Hoffmeyer, cat. no. 91, p. 130

    The notorious Anton Konrad of Dresden (d. 1938) was one of the most successful forgers, mainly of edged weapons, over a period of more than 30 years, during which he produced hundreds of pieces. His most accomplished products were probably his copies of decorated swords and daggers in the Saxon Royal Armouries, based on originals (to which he had access after World War I), marketed via the Berlin dealer Kahlert and at auction, for instance at Sotheby's on 29 July 1930

    See Hans Schedelmann, 'Konrad fecit, the story of a remarkable forger', Connoisseur, vol. CXXII, 1948, Part I, pp. 8-13, 55; Part II, pp. 104-9: 'Konrad fecit', Waffen- und Kostümkunde, vol. XIII, 1971, pp. 52-61

Category: Arms and Armour

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