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Fig. 1391. Rapier

Flemish, first quarter of the XVIIth century. The blade is by Clemens Horn Collection: the late Mr. F. G. Macomber, U.S.A.

Fig. 1392. Rapier

Flemish, first quarter of the XVIIth century. Collection: the late Mr. F. G. Macomber, U.S.A.

English hilt after the same fashion is that the basket of the latter is more solid, that is, the bars that constitute it are placed closer together and not in the systematic parallel but somewhat open form of the former. The basket protection also continues over the top of the blade, guarding the two fingers that grasp the grip over a pas-d'âne, as in the rapier hold of the later part of the XVIth century. Though many Schiavone of the last years of the XVIth century doubtless exist, they are rarely met with; those that are generally offered for sale date from the XVIIth century, and many of these belong to the latter part of that century. The specimen we illustrate (Fig. 1389) is chosen from the collection of Mr. Joubert. It is of fine quality and complete, possessing its scabbard, while the hilt has never been disturbed. All Schiavone, in their original condition, have the same flat and shield-shaped pommel with a boss on either side, reminiscent of an earlier epoch, indeed, a direct survival of the pommel found upon a series of Venetian swords of the latter years of the XVth century, of which a good array is to be seen in the Venice arsenal. The pommels of the Schiavone are often of bronze, white metal, or silver, as in the case of Mr. Joubert's example, which is cast and roughly chased with ornaments reminiscent of the Renaissance. We should judge the date of Mr. Joubert's Schiavona to be about 1640-1660. Schiavone of exactly the same form, but more decadent in their decoration, elaborately mounted with low standard silver, and set with coloured glass jewels are