AUCTIONS IMPERIAL JUNE 2022 ARMS & ARMOR
Lot 208:
Description
An exceptional example, the hemispherical wrought steel cup with silver rim retained by silver rosettes, and further enriched with silver studs in radiating order. The quillons and knucklebow with turned and mushroomed silver finials. The wooden grip with original silver wire wrap and straps, the ferrules and pommel likewise wrought entirely of silver. The straight, double-edged blade of flattened hexagonal section tapering continuously to the tip, with traces of engraving to the forte. Retains its rare original leather liner. Mid-18th c. or earlier. Minor wear. Swords of this form are known as the Caribbean cuphilt; they were produced both in Europe and the New World, but endemic to the Spanish Main (Spanish possessions in the New World directly accessible from Spain, including the coastline from present-day Florida to Venezuela and the Caribbean Islands.) They are one of the very few weapons which may be authentically ascribed to privateers generally and to buccaneers, who preyed on the Spanish Main, specifically. Most Caribbean cuphilts have seen hard use over the centuries. This example remains untouched. See Spanish Military Weapons in Colonial America, 1700 – 1821. By Sidney B. Brinckerhoff and Pierce A. Chamberlain. Harrisburg, Pa.: Stackpole Books, 1972, for similar examples in the Arizona Historical Society Collection, Tucson, Arizona. Overall length102cm.
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