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 of Venus, Ceres, and Pomona. The exposed iron surfaces of the hilt are brilliantly blued, while the groundwork of the design is thickly plated with gold. The work upon this hilt is reminiscent of the craftsmanship of Daniel Sadeler, but perhaps it is a little freer in treatment, which inclines us to think it might be the production of some South German, probably Munich artist craftsman. Dare we suggest the name of Othmar Wetter as the possible artist? The grip and hilt are the original ones, while the blade is a representative example of the work of Pedro Hernandez of Toledo.

This gold, jewelled, and enamelled hilt, known as the Epée de Religion, was presented by Pope Pius IV to Jean Parisot de la Valette, Grand Master of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in 1566. Probably of German (Saxon) workmanship. Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris

It may well be imagined that, in an age in which the goldsmith's art in all its branches was at its zenith, the medium of gold aided by enamelled and