A gold damascened sword after 'La Tizona' of El Cid, attributable to the Zuloaga Workshop, Toledo, Spain, late 19th century, the double-edged steel blade with etched floral decoration on both sides of the forte, the curved rainguard with curved...

A gold damascened sword after 'La Tizona' of El Cid, attributable to the Zuloaga Workshop, Toledo, Spain, late 19th century, the double-edged steel blade with etched floral decoration on both sides of the forte, the curved rainguard with curved fronds decorated with gold-damascened vegetal decoration and with attached knops and belt hook, the rounded grip with copper and white metal wire wound around it, set in a cusped gold-damascened case, with stylised cusped arches, the openwork pommel with the emblems of Castille and Leon, the red leather covered wooden sheath with gold damascened steel fittings with similar architectural and vegetal motifs punctuated by maroon coloured glass beads, the centre of the sheath with another depiction of the emblems of Castille and Leon, 98.5cm. long "La Tiroza" or "Firebrand" was one of two famous swords which according to the epic Cantar de Mio Cid, belonged to the legendary warrior El Cid. Numerous depictions of the sword exist, the most famous of which mentions a watered steel blade. This sword has sophisticated steel blade worked in the same manner. The highly intricate gold damascened decoration may indicate that this sword was produced by the Zuloaga workshop which is known to have produced a number of similar weapons. A casket with hispano-moresque inspired gold damascened decoration signed Felipa and attributed to the Zuloaga workshop was sold Christie's London 7 April, 2011, Lot 397.
Please refer to department for condition report