the tapering blade with narrow double fuller along the back over most of its length on both sides to the double-edged point, the fullers on both sides at the forte incised ‘ANDREA FARARA’ between double ’X’ marks, iron guard of fluted rectangular bars framing finely fretted panels pierced with small hearts and triangular trefoils, the side panels each with a ‘ram’s horn’ pierced with a triangular trefoil, fore-guards, scrolled riveted wrist-guard, bun-shaped pommel fluted between incised lines and with rounded tang button, and later fishskin-covered grip swelling between silver bands, 86.5 cm blade

Provenance

The Earl of Stair, Christie’s London, 12 April 1978, lot 187

Literature

David Oliver & Tony Willis, ‘Hidden Treasures: Concealed Signatures on Scottish Basket Hilted Sword’ in London Park Lane Arms Fair Guide, Spring 2008, pp. 53-56, figs. 3 & 4