Sword, c.1555-c.1560 (iron or steel and silver, blackened, chased)

Sword, the early Mannerist hilt comprising an urn-shaped pommel; oval, wire-bound grip; curved rear quillon terminating in an urn-shaped knob; knuckle-guard with single cartouche containing a standing figure, and terminating in a mask with rams' horns at the centre chased with a nude figure; hilt-arms, from which projects a short bar terminating in an urn-shaped knob. In the centre of the transverse loop-guard joining the hilt-arms to the quillons is a cartouche containing a recumbent nude female; on the inner side of the hilt-arms is connected by a small loop. The entire hilt is chased in low relief with figures, masks and trophies of arms, encrusted in silver upon a blackened ground. The blade is of flat convex section, with a narrow groove at the forte, is stamped with a maker's mark three times on the blade and once on the ricasso.