An important large Italian corseka, mid-16th century
Sturdy, tapering blade of diamond section, constricted at the base. Smith's mark struck on both sides with traces of copper inlays. Long, curved hooks on both sides, with a sharp cutting edge on the upper side. Blade base and hooks with traces of finely stippled decor. Slightly conical, faceted socket. Later octagonal shaft with two replaced side straps. Length without side straps 96 cm, width 68 cm, overall length 212 cm. This piece is described and illustrated in detail in: Waldmann, John: Hafted Weapons in Medieval and Renaissance Europe, 2005, no. 146, pp. 178 f.
Provenance: From a Vienna private collection. Formerly in the “Gothic Room” of Mrs. Rice in New York, who, following the death of her husband and son on the Titanic, endowed the Memorial Widener Library at Harvard. Subsequently in the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum (accession no. 1957.9.2). Thomas del Mar auction, London, 06/2009, lot 132.
355408
Condition: II -
Sturdy, tapering blade of diamond section, constricted at the base. Smith's mark struck on both sides with traces of copper inlays. Long, curved hooks on both sides, with a sharp cutting edge on the upper side. Blade base and hooks with traces of finely stippled decor. Slightly conical, faceted socket. Later octagonal shaft with two replaced side straps. Length without side straps 96 cm, width 68 cm, overall length 212 cm. This piece is described and illustrated in detail in: Waldmann, John: Hafted Weapons in Medieval and Renaissance Europe, 2005, no. 146, pp. 178 f.
Provenance: From a Vienna private collection. Formerly in the “Gothic Room” of Mrs. Rice in New York, who, following the death of her husband and son on the Titanic, endowed the Memorial Widener Library at Harvard. Subsequently in the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum (accession no. 1957.9.2). Thomas del Mar auction, London, 06/2009, lot 132.
355408
Condition: II -
