Subject: caballero knight
Culture: Hapsburg Spanish
Setting: Dutch, Ottoman wars, mid 16th-early 17thc
Object: espada sword
* Arlington Museum of Art > A Knight's Tale
"Side Sword Hilt -- Italian manufacture Blade -- Juan de Leyzado Spanish manufacture (Toledo) ca. 1570-1580 Steel, wood
This sword is composed of a hilt of Italian production with a blade made by Juan de Leyzada of Toledo, Spain. De Leyzada's trademark, a shield with the letter 'I', can be seen on both sides of the ricasso, which is the unsharpened end of the blade where it joins the hilt. The addition of the side rings to provide a better grip evolved out of the demands of fencing."
"Sword Pedro de Valmonte Spanish manufacture ca. 1580-1620 Steel, wood
The cross-guard to protect the hand was gradually perfected with the addition of a small, shell-shaped disc that blocked the tip of the opponent's blade from entering the hilt, as can be seen in this example. This invention evolved during the 1600s, eventually leading to a cup that enclosed all of the fist. This style remained in widespread use until the 1670s.
"The blade is signed MONTE TOLEDO, identifying the master blade smith, Pedro de Valmonte of Toledo."
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Deepeeka *
