A Fine Cup Hilt Rapier. 51” overall, 41” slender flattened diamond section blade with deeply struck bladesmith’s mark of The Lion of St. Mark in a square on the ricasso. Steel hilt comprising deep cup guard, the outer face pierced & chiselled with a symmetrical arrangement of tight scrolls of foliage, boldly flanged brim pierced with a running pattern of foliage & mythical beast heads, a pair of tapering scroll chiselled straight steel quillons with fluted moulded terminals, knuckle-guard en suit, solid pommel of flattered oval form deeply chiselled with a hunting scene or cavalry battle. The grip bound with plaited wire between Turks heads.
Circa 1600-20
Very fine Spanish rapier in good condition.
See Wallace Collection Nos A589 & A619 for similar pommel and A647, A651& A653 for similar pierced bowl.