ITALIAN SHELL TAZA RAPIER WITH TWELVE KINGS' PROFILES, 17th century. 25873

ITALIAN SHELL TAZA RAPIER WITH TWELVE KINGS' PROFILES, 17th century. 25873

Openwork iron frame. Taza is attached to two horizontal guard branches joined in a circle by two double-headed eagles and two pairs of thinner secondary branches. Double large curved and striated quillons forming an “s”. Ovoid pommel presenting on the guard side the profile of a laureate emperor, on the counter-guard side that of a crowned king. Twisted filigree rocket with two braided ferrules. Openwork shell, garnished with a race of twelve medallions representing the profile portraits of the twelve crowned kings of Israel representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Inside the guard, the ricasso is punched on each side (illegible). Fine fluted and ribbed blade over the first ten centimeters, inside the central groove reads on each side the hollow inscription “…MEFECIT…SOLINGEN…” (Made in Solingen), the rest of the blade is double sharp and small flat.
Total length: 122 cm.
Blade length: 100 cm.
Taza diameter: 12 cm.
Width at the quillons: 22 cm.

Italy.
17th century.
Very good condition, usual cleaning and maintenance, weapon repolished and fuse restored in the 19th century.

NOTE :
Rustic in design, this sword is nevertheless elegant and well proportioned.