AUCTIONS IMPERIAL ARMS & ARMOR NOV 2024
Lot 293:
A miniature Spanish wheellock battleaxe made entirely by hand, with leather-wrapped grip and intricately detailed lock, octagonal barrel and finely-engraved axe head. In its fitted handmade hardwood case with a brass plaque inscribed, ESPANA 1551, signed on the reverse by the artist, E. RUIZ. 1940-1950. Famed miniature artist and gunsmith Eduardo Ruiz was a native of Barcelona who crafted only 340 unique miniature antique guns during the 1940s. He traveled widely in order to study first- hand the museum examples he selected for his miniatures, and none was ever duplicated; each is unique. Eduardo Ruiz used silver, copper and other metals as well as fine hardwoods and exotic materials such as bone, antler and tusk in his artwork. He also crafted each presentation case to suit the size of each specific piece, using fine brass hardware and setting a presentation plaque on the lid of each one for the owner initials. The underside always bears his distinctive signature. Overall length of case 19.7cm / 7 ??, miniature 16.5cm/ 6 1/2?. Old patina. Condition II
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