DAY 1: Historic Arms & Armor: Revolutionary America
Sat, Jul 18, 2026 11:00AM EDT
Lot 315
Rare Italian Officer’s Partisan c. 1620 with Recurved Lugs, Tassel & Museum Conservation
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $100 | $50 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
This rare and important Italian partisan, dating to circa 1620, is a superb early 17th-century polearm of refined form and excellent proportions. Its construction suggests use by an officer, palace guard, ceremonial bodyguard, civic guard, or elite household troop rather than an ordinary infantryman. The finely forged head features a broad, double-edged, leaf-shaped blade with a pronounced central midrib, giving the weapon strong rigidity while preserving a graceful and balanced profile. The blade tapers to a sharp point, allowing it to function as both a thrusting and cutting weapon. At the base of the blade are elegant symmetrical recurved side lugs, or parrying hooks, which curve outward before turning sharply inward. These projections assisted in trapping, deflecting, or controlling an opponent's weapon while also helping prevent over-penetration during a thrust.
The head is forged in one piece with a long socket, secured to the hardwood shaft by iron rivets. The extended socket strengthens the junction between the head and shaft, one of the most vulnerable areas of a working polearm. Mounted below the socket is a dark crimson and gold silk tassel, or frock, a traditional feature found on many European polearms of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Beyond its ceremonial and decorative role, the tassel also served a practical function by helping prevent blood from running down the shaft onto the wielder's hands. The tassel is a later replacement, which is common and expected on surviving polearms, as original textile frocks rarely endure after four centuries.
The restrained elegance of this partisan reflects the quality of northern Italian arms manufacture during the late Renaissance. Unlike heavily embellished parade weapons made purely for ceremony, this example retains the strong proportions and robust construction of a practical military weapon while still possessing the refined aesthetics expected of an officer's or guard's arm. It represents the mature form of the Italian partisan during the first half of the 17th century, when such polearms served as symbols of rank, command, and authority while remaining highly effective weapons in the hands of trained soldiers, sergeants, officers, and elite guards. The piece has been professionally cleaned and conserved/restored to museum standards and displays beautifully.
This is a highly elegant and historically important early 17th-century Italian polearm with outstanding display presence. Its refined blade form, recurved parrying lugs, long socket, hardwood shaft, later silk tassel, and museum-standard conservation make it a standout offering for collectors of Renaissance arms, Italian polearms, palace guard weapons, officer's arms, and early European military history.
Provenance: Consigned by one of the world's foremost and most respected arms and armor experts, a remarkable provenance that adds serious collector confidence, scholarship, and institutional-level importance to this offering.
Dimensions: Approximately 82 inches in overall length.
Condition
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Excellent/Mint - Well-preserved, minimal wear, complete, functional, and/or fully intact. Close to original condition. May also be labelled as museum quality.
Condition assessed using Treasure Trove Auctions’ proprietary grading scale. While we strive for accuracy, all ratings are subjective and based on our best evaluation as determined by a dedicated team of researchers, from expert appraisers to knowledgeable historians and veteran collectors. Full grading details can be found on our Authentication page for reference. For a more in-depth condition report or additional images, please contact us and we will be more than happy to oblige.
Available payment options
If you have not contacted Treasure Trove Auctions 512-221-2540 to arrange payment within 3 days of the time that invoice is sent, we will charge the credit card you used to register for the auction for the amount of your invoice.
Treasure Trove Auctions offers both in-house and third-party shipping options to accommodate a variety of items. While we strive to handle shipping internally, items that are oversized, fragile, framed, or require specialized handling may be outsourced to a trusted third-party shipping agent. All shipping costs are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Shipping Process & Costs In-house packaging and shipping are available for many items, with shipping quotes based on the size and weight of the package as determined by the carrier or Treasure Trove. All shipments include insurance and signature confirmation when applicable. Domestic shipments are handled through UPS, while international orders are processed via DHL, FedEx, UPS, or whichever is most cost effective for the buyer. Additionally, items will be insured and declared at their full purchase value, including the hammer price plus premium. Our White Glove Shipping Service – An Unboxing Experience Like No Other At Treasure Trove Auctions, we understand that rare collectibles deserve more than just a standard shipping box—they deserve an experience. That’s why we offer our exclusive White Glove Shipping Service, designed for collectors who appreciate the finer details. With this premium shipping option, your items will arrive in elegant, custom-branded packaging, featuring high-quality materials that reflect the rarity and prestige of your purchase. Depending on the item, we may incorporate special lighting, a hand-tied ribbon, or other bespoke touches to elevate the unboxing moment. This service ensures your prized acquisition is securely packaged, beautifully presented, and delivered with the utmost care—because extraordinary collectibles deserve nothing less. What You Can Expect with White Glove Shipping: Luxury Presentation – Custom-branded packaging for a refined, collector-worthy experience. Enhanced Protection – High-end materials designed to keep your item secure and pristine. Tailored Unboxing Experience – Thoughtful details like ribbons, specialty inserts, and lighting (where applicable). Concierge-Level Handling – Careful packing by our in-house specialists for added peace of mind. This premium service is available for an additional charge—because your treasures deserve nothing but the best. Choose White Glove Shipping at checkout and make your next collectible delivery one to remember. ________________________________________ Third-Party Shipping Option Buyers, both domestic and international, may arrange shipping through a third-party carrier of their choice. However, Treasure Trove Auctions assumes no responsibility for the acts or omissions of third-party shippers, even if they are recommended by our team. International Buyers International buyers are fully responsible for any duties, taxes, clearance fees, or additional import charges imposed by their country. These fees are not included in the shipping cost and must be paid directly to the appropriate customs authorities upon arrival. As the auction house, we handle the packing, shipping, and handling of your purchased items with care. However, we are not global import exports and such as such, buyers must be aware of and comply with their country's import regulations, restrictions, and legal requirements regarding the items they purchase. It is the buyer’s responsibility to verify import laws and restrictions for their country before placing a bid or purchasing an item, cover any customs fees, VAT, or additional import duties required by their government, and ensure the item is legally permissible for import into their country. While our team strives to provide guidance based on past experiences, all final responsibility for customs clearance, import compliance, and associated fees rests solely with the buyer. We are unable to provide refunds or assume liability for items delayed, seized, or rejected by customs authorities due to non-compliance with import regulations. If an item is returned to us due to customs issues, any additional return shipping costs will be the responsibility of the buyer. By placing a bid or completing a purchase, you acknowledge and accept these terms.
Copyright © Treasure Trove Auctions. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by:
