Peculiar
A year ago, I found a rapier on eBay that I positively squeed over.
It appears that a rapier identical to it is now up for auction by what appears to be the same auction house--along with a bunch of other rapiers (just search "rapier" on eBay and you'll find it. They appear to be billed as authentic or at least Victorian era reproductions. They' ( Read more... )
It appears that a rapier identical to it is now up for auction by what appears to be the same auction house--along with a bunch of other rapiers (just search "rapier" on eBay and you'll find it. They appear to be billed as authentic or at least Victorian era reproductions. They' ( Read more... )
A note, first: This auction again appears to make no claims about when or where it was actually produced-- I'd suspect that the first sentence of the description ("... im Stil des 17.Jhdts", lit. "...in the style of the 17th century") is meant to convey, essentially, that the auctioneer doesn't know when it was made.
More on that later: translation now!
Swiped from the auctioneer's description:
Historismus im Stil des 17.Jhdts. Gerade Klinge mit beidseitiger Hohlkehlung. Eisernes Bügelgefäß mit durchbrochenem, sternförmigem Stichblatt. Drahtgewickelte Hilze, spiralförmig geschnittener Knauf. Etwas fleckig und minimal patiniert, eine Parierstange unfachmännisch repariert. Länge 103 cm.
My translation:
Historiana, in the style of the 17th century. Straight blade with fullers on both sides. Pierced iron guard, in a star shape. Wire-wrapped hilt, with a spiral pommel. Somewhat spotted, minimal patina. The cross-guard has been inexpertly repaired.
So, in all, not as promising of a piece as the first auction, a year ago.
Most likely, it's two different swords (this one appears to be in somewhat worse condition, but is unlikely to be the same sword, with additional wear and tear, because of the "spotted, minimal patina"-- patina is the layer of fine rust which develops on metal, effectively sealing them under a uniform, thin coat of oxidized metal (see also: galvanized steel, and why copper statues like the Statue of Liberty are green.) It's unlikely that the first blade you saw would lose its patina, unless someone really, really didn't know how to maintain their expensive antique sword.
It's very likely, I think, that both swords are reproductions of an earlier piece, that were essentially mass-produced; the Victorian fascination with medieval and renaissance history led to a lot of people buying that sort of thing. Given the dimensions of the sword, I wouldn't be surprised, even, if they were always intended as "in the style of the 17th century", and never based on any specific, actual 17th century model...
To extrapolate the idea, imagine someone 150 years from now, coming across something that, say, Popinjay or Darkwood came up with, not based on an actual artifact, but just something someone wanted, maybe with a motif that meant something personal to the customer...
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*looks around for incriminating evidence*
*discreetly pushes a nondescript black box into the closet*
Thanks for popping by and shedding some light.
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