alb4594789

Rapier, c. 1580-1610. Creator: Unknown.

Rapier, c. 1580-1610. The rapier was a sword worn with civilian dress and used in duels. The term rapier derives from the 16th-century French word rapière , which in turn derived from the Spanish espada ropera , or "dress sword." The rapier was a light weapon with a straight double-edged and pointed blade that, with the development of the art of fencing in the 1500s and 1600s, gradually became narrower and lighter, and thus suitable for thrusts only. With the new technique of swordplay emphasizing the point of the blade, sword guards became more complex to protect the duelist?s unarmored hand. These elaborate guards were frequently decorated by various techniques?chiseling, bluing, russeting, and damascening.

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Title: Rapier, c. 1580-1610. Creator: Unknown.

Caption: Rapier, c. 1580-1610. The rapier was a sword worn with civilian dress and used in duels. The term rapier derives from the 16th-century French word rapière , which in turn derived from the Spanish espada ropera , or "dress sword." The rapier was a light weapon with a straight double-edged and pointed blade that, with the development of the art of fencing in the 1500s and 1600s, gradually became narrower and lighter, and thus suitable for thrusts only. With the new technique of swordplay emphasizing the point of the blade, sword guards became more complex to protect the duelist?s unarmored hand. These elaborate guards were frequently decorated by various techniques?chiseling, bluing, russeting, and damascening.

Credit: Album / Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Releases: ? Model Release: No - ? Property Release: No
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Image size: 4508 × 3494 px | 45.1 MB

Print size: 38.2 × 29.6 cm | 1774.8 × 1375.6 in (300 dpi)

Keywords: ARMS AND ARMOR • BELLUNO? • BLADE: SPAIN • CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART, THE • IRON AND STEEL • IRON_AND_STEEL • LATE 16TH-EARLY 17TH CENTURY • RIBBED GUARD AND POMMEL • STEEL INDUSTRY • STEEL • TOLEDO HILT: ITALT • WOOD AND WIRE