Brass mounted hilt with animal head terminals to the guard and chiseled floral quillon block. The elegant wood grip with raised chevron motif and showing the unmistakable Venetian patina as found on which Italian furniture of the region. A few wormholes, also typical. 21 7/8” broad fullered blade with false edge and narrow back fuller. The forte decorated both sides with baroque foliate displays, which is significant as most (particularly North European) examples are decorated with hunting themes, though, these were not made for hunting, but for defense on the streets for men unskilled at fencing. It may be that true hunting swords, intended for the nobility, who, only, were allowed to hunt, may have been exempt from taxes and the hunting motifs applied to avoid taxation.
