Ⓦ A FINE AND RARE ENGLISH SILVER-ENCRUSTED RAPIER, CIRCA 1620

Ⓦ A FINE AND RARE ENGLISH SILVER-ENCRUSTED RAPIER, CIRCA 1620

with associated double-edged blade of flattened-hexagonal section tapering sharply at the point, formed with a short slender fuller and stamped with a series of decorative pellet marks on each face (light pitting), symmetrical russet iron hilt of flattened bars comprising a pair of straight quillons, lower ring-guard (restored), a pair of arms joined to the quillons by a further ring-guard, an additional outer-guard joined to the knuckle-guard at the top, and characteristic spherical pommel, decorated throughout in encrusted silver with running designs of fruit and foliage and, in the centre of the principle bars, with winged cherubic masks (rubbed, small repairs, grip missing)

97.7 cm; 38 ½ in blade

Property from the David Jeffcoat Collection (1945-2020)

Part proceeds to benefit The Wallace Collection

The hilt is related to a rapier in the Wallace Collection (inv. no. A596). The quality of the decoration and the hilt suggest an origin from a Royal London workshop, such as that of Nathaniel Matthewe (recorded 1584-1641). Matthewe is mentioned in the Great Wardrobe accounts in the early 17th Century where it appears that he was required to supply swords for specific occasions such as for the enrolment of a Knight of the Bath and the installation of a Garter Knight. On 28th September 1614 he is recorded supplying '....a hunting weapon with a knife....set with cherubs' heads of silver, the whole damascened with gold embossed and chased, the grip of large silver wire gilded.....'. See Norman 1986, p. 138 and Southwick 2001, pp. 178-179.

Three swords with hilts decorated in this manner were exhibited at the Wallace Collection 2012, cat. nos. 3.09, 3.10, 3.11; another is preserved in the James A. de Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor (inv. no. WI/83/4) and two further examples were sold in this room, 27th June 2012, lot 115 and 12th December 2007, lot 285.