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Probably French, third quarter of the XVIth century Collection: Mr. D. M. Currie

of the Munich Standebras series to which we have referred, representing the more famous objects of art in the treasury of Albrecht V, Duke of Bavaria, among which was a set of three plates showing respectively a gold and enamelled sword hilt, a dagger hilt similarly enriched, and designs for the mounts of a sword belt. The two former called to mind the sword and dagger hilt of La Valette; but they represented hilts of sounder construction and are conceived in better taste (Fig. 1355). Far more beautiful and more elaborate in construction, owing to the addition of a knuckle-guard, is that most wonderful gold and enamelled hilt on the rapier in the Imperial Armoury of Vienna, which is always known as that of Charles V (Fig. 1356); though,
 * Alteneck included some original drawings by Hans Mielich, doubtless part