19th C. European Victorian Steel Sword

Europe, Great Britain or Spain, Victorian era, ca. 19th century CE. A lovely decorative forged steel sword in the style of the "Tizona," a legendary sword carried by Castilian military leader Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar (or "El Cid") during the middle of the 11th century CE.

The ornate handle is wrapped in twisting metal wire to provide extra gripping potential, and the thin pommel has an openwork, twin-lobed presentation. The curved, downturned quillons have a wide form with broad terminals that resemble curling flower petals. The double-edged blade has a slender profile with a trio of hammered parallel bands stemming from the guard, with the outer lines terminating at a pair of hammered crescent-shaped maker's marks. Though created with two edges, this type of sword was primarily adept at thrusting and not swinging attacks. An absolutely stunning weapon!

Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, light tarnishing to majority of components, several minute nicks to blade, and slight bending to overall form, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits throughout.