An included receipt from Galerie Fischer (a prominent auction house in Switzerland focused on fine art and antiquities), lists this spear as produced in Saxony around 1580 with provenance notes attributing it to a private collection in Austria and "collection of W.R. HEARST USA," one of the most famous newspaper men in American history. Measuring about 79 inches overall, the blade is leaf shaped with an integral hexagonal socket base about 7 inches along the edge and 3 inches wide, with a riveted 4 1/4 inch crossbar guard mounted perpendicular to the edge. The metal is extensively etched with fine scroll decoration over most of the surface and both sides of the blade bearing a scene of three eagles perched in a tree while a dog chases a wild boar around the base. A braided section of multi-colored cloth covers the bottom of the socket and top of the shaft, with about 9 inches of multi-colored tassel hanging below. The shaft is about 68 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide with a tight black leather cover over carved and shaped ribbing, rings and steel tack studs for superior grip. The base has a simple tacked on leather cap. Provenance: The William Randolph Hearst Collection; Private Austrian Collection; Anon. Sale, Galerie Fischer, Lucerne; The Norman R. Blank Collection

Fine overall, with mild wear on the leather, a few areas of visible repair, and an antique brown and gray patina on the head and guard.