‡ A FINE GERMAN TWO-HAND PROCESSIONAL SWORD, LATE 16TH CENTURY

‡ A FINE GERMAN TWO-HAND PROCESSIONAL SWORD, LATE 16TH CENTURY with long broad blade of flattened-hexagonal section widening towards a short spear point, cut with a spur mark on one face (one small lamination), ricasso formed with a pair of flat crescentic lugs and retaining much of its original tooled leather and wood covering, blackened steel hilt (slightly loose), comprising a pair of drooping quillons of diamond section with tightly curled terminals, cut with small decorative panels, applied with pairs of slender iron coils towards the terminals, large symmetrical inner and outer ring-guards each decorated en suite and filled with a fleur-de-lys projection, boldly fluted plummet-shaped pommel decorated with chevrons, spirally moulded button, retaining an early three-stage grip, the central portion of moulded leather-covered wood, the top and bottom with fabric-covered wood enclosed by an open mesh of twisted wire, and complete with a pair of early silk tassels, 137.8 cm blade Provenance Harold L. Peterson, sold Christie’s, 5th July 1978, lot 80