129897_auctions-imperial-2018-arms-and-armor-november/
Lot 427:
Description
An elegant transitional weapon of massive proportions, the swept hilt composed of broad steel branches of lenticular section, superbly profiled, pierced and engraved throughout, the cross with expanded, circular terminals set with finely-pierced hemispherical appliques, a treatment reflected on the ring guards, knucklebow and either side of the large, ovate pommel as well. The reverse with graceful branches springing from the lower ring guard and connecting at the midpoint of the knucklebow. The grip retains its twisted steel wire wrap with brass turkshead knots. The long, robust broadsword blade finely wrought of two billets, hexagonal in cross section, double-edged, and continuously tapering to an acute point, with a pair of short fullers to each side, struck on the right, VERBUM + DEI + MANET + IN + AETERNUM (THE WORD OF GOD ENDURES FOREVER) and on the left, SI + VIS + PACEM + PARA + BELLUM (IF YOU SEEK PEACE, PREPARE FOR WAR.) The obverse forte struck with a pair of makerÂ’s marks consisting of a shield, divided, with an H above a sun. Mid-16th c. Very lightly pitted, pommel slightly loose, grip wrap likely a working life replacement. The Schmalkaldic League was founded in 1531, in order to defend Protestantism against the Holy Roman Empire. Founded by John Frederic I, Elector of Saxony and Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse. The LeagueÂ’s motto was VERBUM DEI MANET IN AETERNUM. Overall length 119.2cm Condition III.
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