Sword with a steel hilt engraved with silver, the blade signed 'MIGUEL CANTERO' and 'EN SOLO DIO CONFIO'; Spain and Germany (Saxony), ca. 1570

Sword with hilt encrusted with chiselled silver against a gilt ground, with pear-shaped pommel decorated with grotesques and female dancing figures and with chain and flower ornament, the four-sided grip bound with alternated bands of copper and iron wire (restored). The wide quillons of octagonal section ending in oviform finials and the two ring guards are encrusted with silver chains and leaf motifs and the ring guards have standing female nude figures in cartouches. The intersecting counter guards are gilt only. The escutcheons either side of the join with the blade have silver grotesque masks.

The blade is broad and double-edged with a ricasso cut back with a space for the fore-finger, and has three grooves on each side running almost to the point. The blade is signed and has a motto and is stamped twice on each side of the ricasso with the bladesmith's mark.

Purchased with funds from the Major V A Farquharson Bequest

The sword was purchased by the Museum in 1955 from Mr. C. Falkiner (R.F. 55/664) for £115 using funds from the Farquharson Bequest of 1927. Its provenance before Falkiner's ownership is unknown.

Historical significance: This is one of the finer swords in the Museum's collection and is a good example of a late cruciform sword (popular for the previous three centuries). This type remained in use in Saxony until the 17th century, particularly as a military sword where its rather open hilt would be compensated by other hand protection such as a gauntlet. Its rich ornament of silver on a gilded background suggest it was probably used by a wealthy prince's household guard. This hilt resembles swords in the armoury of the Electors of Saxony and possibly has a Dresden provenance. The blade is a fine Toledo blade by the maker Miguel Cantero.

Swords were not just weapons but important decorative elements in masculine costume. They were symbols of honour and rank for their owners throughout Europe. They remained an indispensible feature of outdoor dress of any person with pretensions to status until the late 18th century in Europe.

Sword hilts became more and more elaborate after the introduction of firearms. Prior to that swords were used against armour primarily as cutting and thrusting weapons while the hand was protected by a gauntlet or by mail. Improvements to firearms made much armour redundant and so freedom of movement became more of a priority, particularly as swords became more part of civilian dress. Civilians were unlikely to wear hand protection in the way a soldier would and a forward thrust would expose the hand to danger. Hilts became more elaborate as a result. Fencing as a training activity became increasingly codified and a standard part of male education. The most expensive hilts received the richest ornament that could be applied without impairing the sword's function.

Sword blades were articles of international trade, made in a few important centres and shipped all over Europe where they were fitted with hilts in the local fashion. During the 16th and 17th centuries the sword blades of Toledo, Valencia and Milan were the most sought after but the largest centre of production was the German town of Solingen. The finest hilts were usually equipped with a Spanish blade but if not available a German blade (sometimes with a spurious Spanish inscription) was fitted instead.

The most prosperous swordmakers in Toledo were concentrated in an area bordered by a road called Calle de Armas (Weapon Street) where there were also ironsmiths, crossbow makers, knife and axe makers. Guild regulations in Toledo were strict. Those seeking to practise as swordmakers had to pass strict tests of quality stipulated by the King. The King also protected the Spanish trade by issuing a decree in 1567: "... do not allow or permit to import any kind of sword in our kingdom from the exterior, and the ones made in Toledo wear the mark and signal of the master who made it and manufactured it, and the place where they are made, and whoever violates this they will be condemned as false ..."

Hilt probably made in Dresden by an unknown maker.

This is one of the finest swords in the Museum's collection. This type, with a simple cross-shaped hilt similar to old medieval swords, remained in use in Saxony until the 17th century. The sword was probably used as a military rather than a civilian weapon as its open hilt could be compensated by other hand protection such as a gauntlet or chain mail. Its rich ornament of silver on a gilded background suggests it was probably used by a wealthy prince or his household guard and possibly comes from the armoury of the Electors of Saxony.

The blade is a fine example from Toledo in Spain and is signed by the maker Miguel Cantero. Sword blades were articles of international trade, made in a few important centres and shipped all over Europe where they were fitted with hilts in the local fashion. During the 16th and 17th centuries the sword blades of Toledo, Valencia and Milan were the most sought after although the largest centre of production was the German town of Solingen. Guild regulations in Toledo were strict. Those seeking to practise as swordmakers had to pass strict tests of quality stipulated by the King. The finest European hilts were usually equipped with a Spanish blade but if not available a German blade (sometimes with a spurious Spanish inscription) was fitted instead.

Swords were not just weapons but important decorative elements in masculine costume. They were symbols of honour and rank for their owners throughout Europe. They remained an indispensible feature of outdoor dress of any person with pretensions to status until the late 18th century in Europe.

M.11-1955