Fire-steel (length 2 3/4 ins), of small size, with a beast's head at each end; hand-hold in form of a long slender snake, arranged in large graceful coils, its tail in its mouth, its markings represented by engraved lines, excellently cast in bright steel and rivetted on. [NB: one of fifty-seven specimens (nos. 367-423) believed to be all Spanish, some of considerable antiquity. Most of them were formerly in the Lavedan Collection. The series is remarkable for the excellent artistic design and the fineness of the steel-casting exhibited by many of the examples - these being special features of Spanish steels, which often bear names, initials, or armorial bearings, showing the pride taken in them by their owners.]