Belle masse d'armes décorée à l'eau-forte et dorée, France o - Lot 67

Belle masse d'armes décorée à l'eau-forte et dorée, France ou Italie vers 1560-90. A fine etched and gilt steel mace, French or Italian circa 1560-90. The head formed of eight flanges each with shaped edge centering on a fleur-de-lys rising to a robust point, the flanges etched with trophies of armour and weapons brazed onto a punched fluted core and retaining much original gilding throughout, tubular haft on a wooden core, pierced for a thong, lightly etched with a series of panels filled with complex designs of strapwork, flowers and further trophies of arms and armour, and fitted with a threaded removable basal cap and removable moulded acorn finial. L.: 62.5 cm - Diameter: 10.5 cm - Wt.: 1575 g. Maces decorated in this fashion are extremely rare, in both private and institutional collections. The last 16th century example to be sold at auction was that which was attributed to the Guido Baldo, 3rd Duke of Urbino (died 1508), included in the sale of the armoury of Hever castle. See, Sotheby's, The Hever Castle Collection, Arms & Armour, 5th May 1983, lot 28.