A magnificent rapier dating: circa 1600 provenance: North Italy, Elegant, thin, double-edged blade with central raiser dividing two finely pierced groves at the forte. Ricasso with mark on both sides. Iron hilt with three ring-guards, straight quillons and triple loop-guard, all loop guards. Pointed and ribbed quillon block. Well-proportioned and faceted pommel. Hilt with fine floral decorations and dots in gold, gold and silver pommel (missing parts). Wooden grip covered with wire binding and provided with iron wire Moor's heads. See a very similar sword with similar decorations and without pierced blade in 'Armi Bianche Italiane' by Boccia/Coelho, Bramante, Milan 1975, no. 562. length 124.5 cm.