Partizan, c.1610 (iron or steel, oak, gold, mother-of-pearl and copper alloy, engraved and gilded)

Partizan, with a flat, tapering, two-edged blade with central fuller; the lower part, where there are three projecting lugs on each side, is pierced and the edges shaped as crowned dolphins, the heads of eagles and of grotesques. The surface in this area, which is fire-gilt, is rather crudely chased with acanthus and other foliage, bearded profile heads, and an oval cartouche bearing on one side a male figure in classical armour holding aloft in each hand a laurel branch, and on the other side a figure of Atlas or Hercules supporting the Heavens. Tapering socket decorated with bright flutes alternating with gilt ribs incised with foliage, and with a knob which is of square section with a grotesque mask on each vertical part and is inlaid on the four faces with rectangular plaques of mother-of-pearl crudely engraved with profile heads (probably 19th century). The head is secured to the staff by two straps engraved with scrolled foliage and gilt, and is held in position by a bolt which pierces the haft-socket at the base and forms two horizontal projections; neither straps nor bolt are reproduced by Asselineau and may be restorations. Oak haft of octagonal section studded with brass-headed nails; spiked ferrule with plate (modern).