art-of-swords:

Fauchard of the Bodyguard of Cardinal Scipione Borghese-Caffarelli

• Dated: circa 1600–1610
• Culture: Italian
• Medium: steel, copper, gold, silver, wood, textile
• Measurements: overall length 108 inches (274.32 cm); blade length 35 inches (24.13 cm); width 9.5 inches (88.9 cm)
• Classification: shafted weapons

The weapons features certain marking and inscriptions, thus on the blade lies the arms of Camillo, Cardinal Borghese, afterwards Pope Paul V. It is ensigned with the Papal badge (keys and tiara): azure, a demi-dragon or, a chief of the Empire (gold, an eagle [or demi-eagle] displayed sable, crowned of first). Above that, there’s a crown with palm and olive branch.

Scipione Borghese (1 September 1577 – 2 October 1633) was an Italian Cardinal, art collector, and patron of the arts. A member of the Borghese family, he was the patron of the painter Caravaggio and the artist Bernini. His legacy is the establishment of the art collection at the Villa Borghese in Rome.

Source: Copyright © 2017 The Metropolitan Museum of Art