Details

LOT 0304

Massive Medieval Iron Hand-and-a-Half Knight's Sword with Lamb of God Pommel

WESTERN EUROPE, 14TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.

46 3/4 in. (1.6 kg, 1.19 m).

Of Oakeshott's Type XV or XVIII, cross style 8, pommel style J (recessed) with a strongly tapering, pointed blade of 'flattened diamond'-section; tapering lower-guard with downturned finials; long, slightly tapering grip and a large disc pommel with chamfered edges, inlay to both sides with a low-relief image of Lamb of God, possibly a later addition; some contemporary repairs.

Provenance

From the private family collection of a lady, UK; acquired in Germany mid 20th century.

Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12787-240329.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Literature

Cf. Oakeshott, R.E., The Archaeology of the weapons, London,1960; Oakeshott, E., The sword in the Age of the Chivalry, Woodbridge,1964 (1994); Oakeshott, E., Records of the Medieval Sword,Woodbridge,1991; Oakeshott, E., Sword in hand, London,2001 (2007); the most striking similar sample is the sword from the formerly collection of D’Acre Edwards (Oakeshott,1991, p.187).

Footnotes

Many swords of this type have long grips, like the war-swords of Type XIII. After about 1350, nine swords out of ten seem to have such grips, and are today variously referred to as 'Hand-and-a-half' or 'Bastard' swords. The latter term was used in the 15th century, but it is not certain that it was applied to this particular kind of weapon. 'Hand-and-a-half'', though modern, is a far more fitting name; these swords were single-handed weapons, but by being furnished with long grips, could at need be wielded easily in both.