Latin America, Mexico, Spanish Colonial Period, ca. early 18th century CE. This is an impressive steel espada ancha (literally "wide sword") type of knife with a thick and robust wooden grip under a steel knuckle guard. The broad blade has a thick spine and single cutting edge that tapers to a pointed tip. The surface is etched with intricate motifs on both sides including a foliate vine pattern and a sitting lion on the ricasso of one side. The hilt has an upward curled thumb tab quillon and a knuckle guard with 2 wooden panels riveted between the tang and exterior steel handle. Espada ancha swords had wide blades akin to the traditional broad sword during the pre-Republic era of New Spain (in modern-day northern Mexico), and this is a markedly shorter and sturdy knife version of the sword. Size: 12.5" L x 2" W (31.8 cm x 5.1 cm); (blade): 16.5" L x 2" W (41.9 cm x 5.1 cm)

Provenance: private Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection

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#168759

Surface pitting, dark patina, and toning throughout. Nicks to blade and guard. Losses and abrasions to wooden grips. Some softening of incised details, but mostly discernable. Overall good condition with great signs of age and use with a dark patina throughout.