Description:

**Originally Listed At $3000**

North America, Mexico, Spanish Colonial period, ca. 18th century CE. A forged-steel sword known as an "espada ancha" (literally "wide sword") with an iron hand guard and a spherical brass pommel decorated with thin registers of stippling. The tubular wooden handle provides for excellent gripping, and a steel quillon surmounts the guard for extra protection. The steel blade has a gently curving profile with a pointed tip, a sharpened edge, a shoulder with raised circular motifs, and a thick spine accentuated with etched foliate motifs. Espada ancha swords like this example used to have wide blades akin to the traditional broad sword during the pre-Republic era of New Spain (in modern Mexico); however, the blade width narrowed over time to facilitate hunting and ease of transport by soldiers. Size: 6" W x 34.4" H (15.2 cm x 87.4 cm); (length of blade): 28.875" L (73.3 cm).

Provenance: private Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection

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#149235

  • Condition: Losses to areas of wooden handle as shown. Nicks and abrasions to handle, guard, and blade, with softening to some etched motifs on blade, and bending to overall form of blade. Great patina throughout.

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June 25, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000