An English Rapier, Mid-17th Century

With tapering double-edged blade of flattened diamond section, hilt comprising curved rear quillon chiselled with a grotesque mask terminal, side-guard chiselled with foliage centred on a winged cherub's head and enclosing a downbent shell-guard, knuckle-guard decorated with foliage en suite on one side and with central human mask, globular pommel also en suite and with prominent button, and grip bound with copper wire between Turk's heads (worn and pitted overall)
84 cm. blade