A continental hunting sword
late 18th/early 19th century
The 21 inch single edged blade with broad, shallow fuller below the spine and retaining traces of engraved foliage above the hilt. Silver-plated brass hilt comprising a separate, downcurving shell cast and chased in relief with a scene of four hounds worrying a bear; guard with highly detailed stag's head quillons, the block with a mask in front and a hunting horn on the reverse. Staghorn grip, the pommel cap missing.
Condition: Blade with mottled grey metal showing wear to decoration and patches of light pitting. Hilt retains much silver plating.