An excellent rapier with a cast silver handle from 1660. The hollow handle is made of handmade binding. The head of the handle is in the form of a large flower bud. The cross is made of two embossed arches with tips in the form of a bud, in the center of the cross they are connected and form a single part. The thin parts of the handle are reinforced with iron rods visible behind the thin stems.
From the central part (the shield near the blade) decorative rods depart in different directions repeating the shape of the buds. A thin 32-inch blade with a hexagonal cross-section with a 9-inch central hole, pierced with geometric patterns and imprinted with several small marks on the rikasso. The total length is 38 1/2 inches. This is probably the only work of its kind that will proudly be exhibited in the best museum collections.
Gottfried Leigebe (German: Gottfried Leigebe; Gottfried Laygebe or Leihgebe (1630-1683) was a Silesian sculptor, medallist and iron engraver. Initially, he worked as a sword master. In 1645 he went to Nuremberg to train as a gunsmith with Albrecht Lichtmann. He specialized in iron engraving, met Georg Pfründt, an artist experienced in the technique, and became one of the best medalists and stampers of his time. By 1653, Leigeb had its own workshop. In 1668 he was appointed medallist, chaser and sculptor of Prince Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg. He specialized in custom sword handles for aristocrats and wealthy merchants such as the directors of the VOC (Dutch East India Company). The sword at Skokloster Castle, Sweden, has a very similar hilt with an identical interwoven knot.
Leigebe's Sword in Skokloster, Sweden (Master Gottfried Leigebe, 1945, A. Brune)
Leigebe created a large number of medals, including portraits of the Nuremberg citizens. Among his works there are medals with portraits of J. Dilcher (1644, 1666), C. Gutatet (1665), B. Kaufmann (1666), members of the elector's family, in particular Dorothea of Holstein, wife of Frederick William. He made medals in honor of the appointment of Prince Frederick as stadtholder of the Brandenburg Mark and his marriage to Elisabeth-Henriette of Hesse-Kassel.
Portrait of the master himself
Some of Leigebe's medals are made by embossing, some by casting with subsequent engraving. The realism of the images is a characteristic feature of Gottfried Leigebe's medals. The best works of the master include commemorative thalers minted in 1667 on the occasion of the death of Louise-Henrietta of Orange, the first wife of the Elector.
Leigebe signed as "G. L." and "G. LEIGEBE". The portrait medallion from 1671 bears the signature "G. LEIGEBE AD VIV (um) FECIT" (from Latin. - "Engraved in Life").
The 1796 model light cavalry saber was a sword used primarily by British light dragoons and hussars, as well as by the light cavalry of the Royal German Legion during the Napoleonic Wars. It was adopted by the Prussians (as a model of 1811 or “Blucher’s saber”) and was used by the Portuguese and Spanish …
Meaning of astrological and numerical symbols in ancient weapons on blades of types 1414 and 1441 During the Middle Ages and early modern times, the belief in the influence of the stars on human destiny was very widespread. This belief was also reflected on weapons, where astrological symbols, planets, zodiac signs and other magical signs …
Historical Background: The dirk appeared in the russian army and navy under Peter the Great. In addition to naval officers, in the XVIII century it was worn by some ranks of the land forces. In 1730 the dirk replaced the sword in the army ranks. In 1803, the wearing of dirks as personal weapons of …
Good afternoon dear collectors of cold weapons I want to share with you information and a small problem with which I faced myself, the other day I was asked to check the item for authenticity and make a certificate confirming this fact. The subject of the study was “Polish officer’s dirk model 1954.” Started looking …
Superb rapier with cast silver handle from the 1660s
An excellent rapier with a cast silver handle from 1660. The hollow handle is made of handmade binding. The head of the handle is in the form of a large flower bud. The cross is made of two embossed arches with tips in the form of a bud, in the center of the cross they are connected and form a single part. The thin parts of the handle are reinforced with iron rods visible behind the thin stems.
From the central part (the shield near the blade) decorative rods depart in different directions repeating the shape of the buds. A thin 32-inch blade with a hexagonal cross-section with a 9-inch central hole, pierced with geometric patterns and imprinted with several small marks on the rikasso. The total length is 38 1/2 inches. This is probably the only work of its kind that will proudly be exhibited in the best museum collections.
Gottfried Leigebe (German: Gottfried Leigebe; Gottfried Laygebe or Leihgebe (1630-1683) was a Silesian sculptor, medallist and iron engraver. Initially, he worked as a sword master. In 1645 he went to Nuremberg to train as a gunsmith with Albrecht Lichtmann. He specialized in iron engraving, met Georg Pfründt, an artist experienced in the technique, and became one of the best medalists and stampers of his time. By 1653, Leigeb had its own workshop. In 1668 he was appointed medallist, chaser and sculptor of Prince Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg. He specialized in custom sword handles for aristocrats and wealthy merchants such as the directors of the VOC (Dutch East India Company). The sword at Skokloster Castle, Sweden, has a very similar hilt with an identical interwoven knot.
Leigebe created a large number of medals, including portraits of the Nuremberg citizens. Among his works there are medals with portraits of J. Dilcher (1644, 1666), C. Gutatet (1665), B. Kaufmann (1666), members of the elector's family, in particular Dorothea of Holstein, wife of Frederick William. He made medals in honor of the appointment of Prince Frederick as stadtholder of the Brandenburg Mark and his marriage to Elisabeth-Henriette of Hesse-Kassel.
Some of Leigebe's medals are made by embossing, some by casting with subsequent engraving. The realism of the images is a characteristic feature of Gottfried Leigebe's medals. The best works of the master include commemorative thalers minted in 1667 on the occasion of the death of Louise-Henrietta of Orange, the first wife of the Elector.
Leigebe signed as "G. L." and "G. LEIGEBE". The portrait medallion from 1671 bears the signature "G. LEIGEBE AD VIV (um) FECIT" (from Latin. - "Engraved in Life").
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Collection of British sabers of light cavalry of the sample of 1796
The 1796 model light cavalry saber was a sword used primarily by British light dragoons and hussars, as well as by the light cavalry of the Royal German Legion during the Napoleonic Wars. It was adopted by the Prussians (as a model of 1811 or “Blucher’s saber”) and was used by the Portuguese and Spanish …
Meaning of astrological and numerical symbols in ancient weapons on blades of types 1414 and 1441
Meaning of astrological and numerical symbols in ancient weapons on blades of types 1414 and 1441 During the Middle Ages and early modern times, the belief in the influence of the stars on human destiny was very widespread. This belief was also reflected on weapons, where astrological symbols, planets, zodiac signs and other magical signs …
Russian naval dirk of 1803-1914. Russian officer’s dirk of the 1914 model.
Historical Background: The dirk appeared in the russian army and navy under Peter the Great. In addition to naval officers, in the XVIII century it was worn by some ranks of the land forces. In 1730 the dirk replaced the sword in the army ranks. In 1803, the wearing of dirks as personal weapons of …
Polish dirk 1954 Air Defense or Air Force or Pilot ???.
Good afternoon dear collectors of cold weapons I want to share with you information and a small problem with which I faced myself, the other day I was asked to check the item for authenticity and make a certificate confirming this fact. The subject of the study was “Polish officer’s dirk model 1954.” Started looking …