Rapier and Parrying Dagger 1555 - 1605

This rapier and parrying dagger was made by Juan Martinez, a Spanish artist, around the turn of the 17th century. Swords, of course, are symbols of combat, but were also potent emblems of status, worn by noblemen and the military elite of early modern Europe. The visual codes of sword design tell us a lot about the values of that culture. Spain at this time was a global empire, and the elaborate decoration of this weapon speaks to the wealth and power of its owner. The gilded hilt is shaped like a nautical rope. We can speculate that this design alludes to Spain's naval power and its dominance of maritime trade routes to the Americas. The social conditions of 17th century Spain can be researched in archives and libraries. The history of the Spanish armorer's guild would tell us more about the role of artisans such as Martinez in shaping the culture of his time. The meaning and value of this sword were contingent on its social and institutional context.