Beschreibung:

A Rare German State Halberd Of The Guard Of Emperor Matthias Of Austria (1557-1619, Crowned Emperor In 1612) Dated 1612 With double-edged spike formed with a strong medial ridge on each side and with tapering point, large flat blade with concave leading edge, flat downcurved fluke, and open socket secured by two brass-headed rivets each with pierced rosette-shaped brass washers, and an iron clamp at the base, both sides profusely etched with foliation and monster-heads against a dotted blackened ground, on each side of the spike Matthias' cypher beneath an imperial crown, on one side of the blade the crowned imperial double-headed eagle, charged with the crowned quartered shield of Hungary and Bohemia and the inshield of Austria and Burgundy, all within the collar of the Golden Fleece, and on one side of the fluke the date 1612, on the other side of the blade the emblem of Matthias as emperor (an eagle with orb and sceptre looking up at the sun breaking through clouds), and on the other side of the fluke the initial letters of his motto, 'AVC' (Amat victoria curam), at the top of the socket the maker's initials 'BS', the decoration partly heightened with gilding of which traces remain, four long straps, and wooden staff 25½in. (64.8cm.) head Cf. von Kienbusch Collection, No. 565