AN ITALIAN PARTISAN, MID-17TH CENTURY with broad leaf-shaped central blade of flattened-diamond section, formed with a pair of short up-turned basal lugs and a pair of notches, conical socket, and a pair of long straps, decorated on each side of the head with pointilée work, foliage and a central rondel (worn), on a later wooden haft 89cm; 35in head The pointilée work is reminiscent of a group of hafted weapons associated with the guard of Henry VIII. See G. M. Wilson 1985 pp.15-20.