A French luxury hunting sword, circa 1580
Sturdy single-edged blade with a double-edged point and shallow fullers on both sides. The imperial orb stamped in the fuller on the reverse, together with the inscription "FEIVS", a Brescian bladesmith mark stamped on both sides, together with another illegible mark. Iron hilt with s-shaped, curved quillons and a large, curved guard plate. Hilt and iron grip embellished with lavish, silver-inlaid décor and appliquéd figures in half relief on an engraved, chased background. Depiction of a hunting scene with huntsmen on foot and on horseback, hounds and a variety of game. Four gold-inlaid marks stamped on the reverse of the grip. The pommel cap with a crowned coat of arms, inlaid in gold and silver. The leather covered wooden scabbard (leather lining is an old replacement) with matching, silver-inlaid fittings. The inserted by-knife with a silver-inlaid iron grip. Length 99.5 cm.
Condition: II -