A fine continental small-sword with gem-set silver-gilt hilt, circa 1780, probably French

From the Duques de Tamames Collection

A fine continental small-sword with gem-set silver-gilt hilt, circa 1780, probably French

with tapering blade of diamond section, signed ‘Antonio Pichinio en Toledo’ enclosed by a series of decorative marks within a short fuller on the respective faces (tip slightly bent and with areas of rust), silver-gilt hilt cast and chased with flowers and foliage in low relief, encrusted with rubies and diamonds, comprising engraved oval shell-guard decorated with garlands on the outer face and with scrolling foliage and flowers on a punched ground on the inner, short quillon, slender quillon-block, knuckle-guard, ovoid pommel, and solid grip (minor losses), in its leather scabbard (chape missing) with matching gem-set locket 

84.0 cm blade