A Fine Swept-Hilt Rapier Early 17th Century, Probably Italian With sharply tapering double-edged blade of slightly hollowed flattened diamond section, the fuller on each side of the forte incised three times with the letter 'M' between decorative marks, slightly hollowed rectangular ricasso, hilt of rounded bars comprising straight quillons swelling towards the tips, arms, three outer rings, the upper one with a bar rising up to join the knuckle-guard, and inner trifurcated bar swept-up to join the knuckle-guard, heavy barrel-shaped pommel with button, and grip bound with three differing twists of wire between Turks' heads, most of the surfaces of the hilt chiselled with a repeated design of linked flower-heads against finely punched grounds 114.3 cm. blade Footnotes: Provenance Baron Guy de Rothschild Collection Eric Valentine Collection This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing