A FINE SILVER-ENCRUSTED RAPIER POMMEL, EARLY 17TH CENTURY, PROBABLY ENGLISH of slightly-flattened hollow ovoid form, decorated on each face in silver with a cherubic espagnolette enclosed by delicately scrolling roped tendrils terminating in mulberries of differing size, the sides with sheaves of leafy tendrils, enriched throughout with pellets, and retaining some original blueing and gilding 6.5cm; 2 5/8in high Inv. no. E7. The Royal accounts of the reign of James I include a number of references to payments for silver and gold decorated swords from the Royal Cutler Robert South. A sword pommel, cross-piece and by-knife decorated in a strikingly similar manner are preserved in the Victoria and Albert Museum (Inv. no. M.28). The by-knife is stamped with the mark of the London Cutler's Company and the maker's mark of John Bushell. See C. Blair 1974, pp. 83-6 and A.R.E. North 1982, p. 7.