On Your Knees

Two-handed Processional Sword 

Dated: circa 1560-70

Culture: Italian

Measurements: overall length 147 cm; blade length 108.5 cm

The sword features a double-edged blade of flattened hexagonal section tapering towards a short point, formed with a ricasso, and stamped with the sacred inscription “IHS” together with “MA” and “RIA” in a vertical arrangement segmented within double linear panels on both sides at the forte.

The iron hilt is chiselled in relief, formed of a pair of faceted quillons decorated with spirally fluted globular terminals and each interrupted by a spirally fluted knop carried between leaf mouldings.

The latters have symmetrical inner and outer oval ring-guards en suite, matching stopper-shaped pommel decorated with a three-stage pattern formed of a band of diagonal fluting carried between a pair of expanded flowerheads.