Description: | [One of] Nine Fire-steels (lengths 3 to 2 1/2 ins) *; all of closely-similar pattern; each consisting of a small narrow slightly-curved steel, to back of which is attached a hand-hold, cast in brass, in the form of a running hound, wearing a collar, the same each side. [NB: one of fifty-seven specimens (nos. 367-423) believed to be all Spanish, some of considerable antiquity. Most of them were formerly in the Lavedan Collection. The series is remarkable for the excellent artistic design and the fineness of the steel-casting exhibited by many of the examples - these being special features of Spanish steels, which often bear names, initials, or armorial bearings, showing the pride taken in them by their owners.] [* No. 396 not on List A] |