A FINE ITALIAN BROADSWORD C.1650

This sword draws upon two closely related groups for form. Its finely embossed and chiseled guard with its central medallion of a classical figure is a variation of the sail form guards used on Maine gauches, Italian rapiers and broad swords. Those swords, are generally from a larger group of crab claw hilted swords which includes examples with and without the sail form guard. The form of its quillons places this sword in that group. The vast majority in the group are plain or modestly embellished for use by foot or mounted troops. This example, distinguished by the quality, and theme of its decoration, was made for an officer or member of an elite guard group. It is closely related to an example in the Royal Armouries, Leeds, #XV-178. 32 1/4" length blade.