A Very Fine Espada Ropera. 42” overall, 35 ½” blade of tapered double edged flat diamond shape with two wide & deep tapering fullers in which the makers name ‘Juan Martinez en Toledo’ is pierced and words from Psalm 71, ‘IN TE DOMINE SPERAVI NON’. The blade also carries the crescent moon mark of Martinez. The chiselled iron hilt is highly ornate, the chiselling is in high relief. No knuckle bow but the short stubby quillons are carved ensuite with the urn shaped pommel. There are two side rings or guards, one of which is heart shaped. The grip is of tightly bound twisted wire and finished with Turks heads at top & bottom.
Circa 1600.
Very high quality sword by a Royal Swordsmith in very good condition, one side ring cracked.
Sold with research paper: ‘Rapiers by Juan Martinez the Elder-The Royal Sword-Smith from Toledo Found in Poland’
Blade appears identical to: the Rapier of Prince-Elector Christian II of Saxony (1583–1611) No. 1970.77, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York, one of three rapiers by Martinez in their collection.