Rapiers were developed in the late fifteenth century and became steadily more popular throughout the sixteenth century. This example is rare and important for its finely engraved decoration inspired by Middle Eastern ornament.
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Title:Rapier
Date:ca. 1490
Culture:Italian
Medium:Steel, silver
Dimensions:L. 41 3/16 in. (104.5 cm); L. of blade 34 3/4 in. (88.3 cm); W. 10 in. (25.4 cm); Wt. 2 lb. 5 oz. (1049 g)
Classification:Swords
Credit Line:Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913
Object Number:14.25.1169
William H. Riggs, Paris (until 1913; his gift to MMA).
Meyrick, Samuel R., and Joseph Skelton. Engraved Illustrations of Antient Arms and Armour: From the Collection of Llewelyn Meyrick at Goodrich Court, Herefordshire: After the Drawings, and with the Description of Dr. Meyrick. Vol. 2. London: J. Skelton, 1830. pl. CIII, fig. 3.
Laking, Guy Francis, and Charles Alexander Cosson. A Record of European Armour and Arms Through Seven Centuries, edited by Francis Henry Cripps-Day. Vol. II. London: G. Bell and Sons, 1920. pp. 292, 295, fig. 674.
Blair, Claude. European & American Arms, c. 1100–1850. New York: Crown Publishers, 1962. p. 4, fig. 57.
Nickel, Helmut. Warriors and Worthies: Arms and Armor Through the Ages. New York: Atheneum, 1969. p. 80, ill.
Boccia, Lionello G., and Eduardo T. Coelho. Armi Bianche Italiane. Milan: Bramante Editrice, 1975. p. 344, fig. 161.
Norman, A. V. B. The Rapier and Small-Sword, 1460–1820. London: Arms & Armour Press, 1980. pp. 38, 108, 355; pl. 7.
Nickel, Helmut, Stuart W. Pyhrr, Leonid Tarassuk, and David G. Alexander. "Arms and Armor." Notable Acquisitions (Metropolitan Museum of Art) (1984), p. 23.
Laking, Guy Francis, Charles Alexander Cosson, Francis Henry Cripps-Day, and Claude Blair. A Record of European Armour and Arms Through Seven Centuries. Vol. II. Cambridge: Ken Trotman Ltd., 2000. pp. 292, 295, fig. 674.
Norman, A. V. B., and C. M. Barne. The Rapier and Small-Sword, 1460–1820. Huntingdon, England: Ken Trotman, 2009.
Francesco Negroli (Italian, Milan, ca. 1522–1600) , and his brothers
ca. 1550–53
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