A FINE AND RARE ENGLISH BROADSWORD C.1640

Of so-called mortuary sword type. Iron hilt with semi-bowl guard. The forward edge rolled, with bars connecting to the pommel at the other three quarter points, further enclosed by pairs of scrolling bars. The guard chiseled with characterful portraits of Charles at theåÊthree quarter points alternating with portraits of Henrietta flanked by angel wings. A further matching portrait on the knuckle bow. The pommel chiseled in a radial motif over slightly depressed medial, stopped by a band at the transition and likely fire gilt in the depressions originally. The right side with a chiseled running fox or wolf mark about identical to that illustrated as 9c, European Swords and Daggers in the Tower of London, which is found on a ‰ÛÏClaymore, early 17th century." The mark here was originally inlaid in latten which it retains in one of the strokes. Original black leather over wood scabbard in fragile but substantially complete condition. An excellent example of one of the most desirable forms of 17th century swords.