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Fig. 647. The so-called "Donatello" sword

Italian, late XVth century. Royal Armoury, Turin, G 79 bis

We refer to the beautiful weapon of the Turin Armoury known as the "Donatello" sword (Fig. 647). The hilt of the sword in question is copper gilt, and has a grip of horn. The hollow circular pommel is formed to the outline of two dolphins, their tails joining at the top; astride their backs sit amorini, who support between them a gorgon's head. The quillons are straight and of oblong section, issuing from an oblong central block, which is cast and chased in low relief with allegorical figures and cupids. The ends of the quillons have caryatid figures in low relief. The blade, which is flat and broad, gradually tapering to a point, is engraved with a composition of scroll-work, introducing a winged figure of victory; the general treatment of this decorative theme leads the author to think that it is possible the blade was added to the hilt at some later date. Marcel Reymond, in La Sculpture Florentine, describes the Turin sword and states that it is signed in full with the artist's name, Opvs Donatelli Flo(rentini), and from the character of the decoration must have been made at a late period in his lifetime. Now the Turin sword is signed, but upon the lower ferrule of the grip. Of late years, however, the genuineness of this particular part of the hilt has been openly debated, and it is now generally agreed that the signature of Donatello is a forgery. The quillons and pommel, however, remain a triumph of Renaissance design, and furnish an admirable illustration of some great Italian master's power and skill in utilizing the then new art of the Renaissance on the most conservative form of sword hilt extant. In the Wallace Collection (No. 34) is an admirable reproduction of the Donatello sword; it has, however, an old blade from some other sword associated with it.