Fine Arms, Armour and Militaria to Be Offered in London at Thomas Del Mar Ltd
A very rare Ottoman Tombak shield (kalkan), Turkey, late 16th-early 17th century. Estimate £40,000-60,000.
LONDON.- A very rare gilt copper Ottoman Tombak shield from the late 16th century is among the highlights of an auction of Antique Arms, Armour and Militaria in London on Wednesday, June 29, 2011. The sale will be held at midday by Thomas Del Mar Ltd (in association with Sotheby’s) at their saleroom at 25 Blythe Road, W14.
The circular Turkish ribbed shield is decorated with stylised tulip flowers and is estimated to fetch £40,000-60,000. Known as a Kalkan, very few of this type of shield is recorded and therefore it is assumed that they were intended for individuals of high rank. This example is believed to have been taken from the Turks at the Siege of Vienna in 1529 and it was loaned to an exhibition in 1890 from a European Private collection. It is made of Tombak (gilt copper) – a prized material among Turkish people.
Elsewhere in the sale, a historically important flag-pole from the residence of General Gordon of Khartoum is estimated at £1,000-1,500.
The sale includes more than 200 swords which originate from all corners of the globe including Japan, India, Persia, Italy, Scotland, France, England, America and Turkey. A Fine Russian presentation sword that was given to Sir Roderick Impey Murchison, dated 1847 is expected to fetch £8,000-12,000. The sword is decorated with gold inlaid Cyrillic inscriptions including Sir Roderick’s initials. Murchison was born in Scotland in 1792 and joined the army at the age of 16-years, he took a strong interest in the new science of geology and travelled extensively, becoming the President of the Geological Society in 1831. He received numerous honours in later life including the orders of St Anne and Stanislaus by Tsar Nicholas I, and at least 15 geographical locations around the world are named after him including the Murchison crater on the moon!
A Fine Russian presentation sword to Sir Roderick Impey Murchison, dated 1847. Estimate £8,000-12,000.
Other swords of note included a Brunswick state two-hand processional example of the Guard of Julius, Duke of Brunswick, dated 1574, which carries an estimate £10,000-15,000. This is one of almost 50 lots in the sale that were formerly in the Hanovarian Royal Collection.
A Brunswick state two-hand processional sword of the guard of Julius Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg in Wolfenbüttel (1528-89), No. 146, dated 1574. Estimate £10000-15000
Another interesting piece from the collection is an 18-bore Royal Hanoverian percussion sporting rifle made for George IV – who was both King of Great Britain and Ireland and King of Hanover. Dating from 1820, the rifle is estimated at £4,000-6,000.
An 18-bore Royal Hanoverian percussion sporting rifle made for George IV , King of Great Britain and Ireland, King of Hanover (1762-1830), by Tanner in Hanover, the barrel signed Stoermer Fofrustmeister, circa 1820. Estimate £4,000-6,000
The final section of the sale is devoted to European and American firearms. A fine cased pair of 28-bore percussion duelling pistols in their original wooden box with accessories by Birmingham-maker Westley Richards, dating from approximately 1840 is expected to fetch £13,000-18,000, while a fine pair of 38-bore Silesian flintlock holster pistols, circa 1680-1700 made of figured walnut and engraved with mother-of-pearl masks is estimated at £10,000-15,000.
A fine cased pair of 28 bore percussion duelling pistols by Westley Richards 170 New Bond street, London, Birmingham proof marks, circa 1840. Estimate £ 13000 - 18000
VIEWING: Sunday, June 26 - 12 noon to 4pm - Monday, June 27 - 10am to 7pm - Tuesday, June 28 - 10am to 5pm
NEXT SALE: DECEMBER 7, 2011
History Written With A Sword Early Gem-Set Saber To Highlight June Arms & Armor Auction
At its Antique Arms & Armor sale on June 20, 2011 in San Francisco, Bonhams & Butterfields is excited to present a historic gem-set saber, likely 17th century Turkish and originating from Mysore, India during the period of the Tipu Sultan's ruling (est. $15,000-25,000).
The gilt silver-mounted sword boasts an impressive, curved 32½-inch long blade and is adorned with a crossguard chased in floral engravings. As well, the grip on the wide saber is covered with engraved, gilt-silver plates.
The historic saber is accompanied by a gilt-silver plate covered scabbard, which boasts elaborate scrollwork and borders. The front is set with thirteen precious and semi-precious stones and the reverse is covered in dark shagreen and inscribed with the words: "Taken from/Tippoo Saib (sic)/Seringapatam/1799."
The sword's origin points to a robust period in India's history – the 1780's - during which the Tipu Sultan ruled India's strongest, most prosperous state. Tipu was a relentless warrior who inflicted defeats on the British and used Western weaponry against their inventors. He was killed at the siege of Seringapatam in 1799.
Tipu Sultan or Tipu Sahib was born in Devanhalli on 20th November 1750 to Haider 'Ali (1721-82) and his second wife Fatima, or Fakr-un-Nissa. Haider 'Ali was a soldier, who had risen through the ranks of the Mysore army to the point where he was able to establish himself as de facto ruler, usurping the brothers Nanjaraj and Devraj in 1752. In 1782 Tipu succeeded his father as Sultan of Mysore, which was the strongest, the best governed and the most prosperous state in India. He was killed at the siege of Seringapatam in 1799. His famous throne was broken up as loot and a number of swords and other objects were taken by members of the victorious British forces. For an article of some of these weapons see, Robin Wigington, Souvenir Weaponry From Seringapatam, The Journal of The Arms & Armour Society, Vol.XV, No.3 (March, 1996), pp.141-149.
Epée de cérémonie d'officier. Chine du nord. Minguo, début 20ème siècle.
Epée de cérémonie d'officier. Chine du nord. Minguo, début 20ème siècle. Photo Marc Labarbe
à décor de dragon. Incrustée de corail et de turquoise. Le manche et le fourreau sont rehaussés de jade L.88cm. Estimation : 1200/1500€
MARC LABARBE sarl. Dimanche 88 mai à 10h00. Place Saint-Aubin 3, bd Michelet, 31000 Toulouse. Tél. : 05.61.23.58.78 - Fax : 05.62.27.29.28 - Email : marc.labarbe@etxe.fr
Poignard orné de deux baguettes en métal argentifère couvert de cabochons en corail. Tibet, XIXe s.
Poignard orné de deux baguettes en métal argentifère couvert de cabochons en corail. Tibet, XIXe s. Courtesy Néret-Minet & Tessier
L : 63 Estimation : 1 000 - 1 200 €
Néret-Minet & Tessier. Lundi 14 mars à 14h00. Drouot-Richelieu Salle 2. EMail : mail@neret-tessier.com - Tél. : 01 40 13 07 79
Sabre turc dit Yatagan. Vers 1850
Sabre turc dit Yatagan. Vers 1850. Courtesy Alain Schmitz-Frédéric Laurent
Poignée à petites oreilles, renfort de talon et fourreau en argent ciselé à décor repoussé de trophées d’armes, fleurs et feuillages. Lame à dos, légèrement courbe, poinçonnée. B.E. Estimation : 1000 / 1500 €
SVV. Alain Schmitz-Frédéric Laurent. dimanche 6 février 2011 à 14h30. 13, rue Thiers, B.P. 2089 - 78100
Saint-Germain-en-Laye - FRANCE. Tél. : 01 39 73 95 64 - Fax : 01 39 73 03 14
- E-mail : contact@sgl-encheres.com
Arms of Duke Julius of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel @ Thomas Del Mar Ltd
A Brunswick state two-hand processional sword of the guard of Julius, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg in Wolfenbüttel (1528-89), N°. 237, dated 1573. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
with straight double-edged blade of flattened diamond-section, rectangular ricasso formed with a pair of slender up-turned lugs in the middle, boldly incised with the crowned Ducal monogram, the number and the date within a linear frame on each side, iron hilt comprising a pair of ribbon-like quillons each interrupted by a fish-shaped moulding and engraved with scrolling foliage (one quillon expertly repaired), curled forward and back at the respective down-curved terminals, a pair of small flat engraved serpentine lugs at the base, engraved inner and outer ring-guards, each interrupted with three baluster mouldings and filled with a saltire, the former with thumb-ring, thick pierced crutch-shaped pommel, and later leather-covered wooden grip; 133cm; 52 1/2in blade - Estimate £10000 - 15000
Note: Duke Julius of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1528-1589) inherited the title following the death of his two older brothers in battle. He was a keen supporter of the Reformation and introduced it into the Duchy of Wolfenbüttel. This provided a sharp contrast to his father, a devout Catholic who was violently polemicised by Luther in his Wider Hans Worst of 1542. In a letter of 1571 Julius described himself as a ‘rough old Brunswick Saxon after the old German fashion’. However, he was a ruler of considerable practical ability and energy and a highly talented administrator. In this capacity he provided strong support to industries such as mining and metalworking and consequently brought considerable wealth into the Duchy. During his reign, according to a description of 1585, the Zeughaus included several rooms: “Lange Rüstkammer, Kleine Kammer nach dem Zimmerhof, Harnischkammer, Lange Kammer und Oberste Kammer” and is specifically mentioned as one of the highlights of the castle tour for visitors in 1578.The following processional sword was made for the Guard of Duke Julius. The shape of the cross-guard and pommel is a unique Brunswick feature. The swords from the Ducal Guard are all numbered and may be divided into two series, one dated 1573 and the other 1574. The blades are generally inscribed with the date, an arsenal number and the crowned Ducal monogram IH. There are minor variations within each series, such as the inscribed pommels which are apparently only encountered on the swords of 1573, while the pommels of the 1574 series are of hooked construction. It would appear from the numbered swords extant that there were a total of around 600 swords of this group - with numbers in each series being recorded in the 290's. In 1573 a sword was delivered to Wolfenbüttel by the armourer Wolf Gabriel and it has been suggested that this was possibly a prototype for this group. Given the large number of differing bladesmith's marks and the variation in minor details it is likely that the order for both the 1573 and 1574 swords was contracted to a large number of swordsmiths. It is probably that this group was originally stored in The Wolfenbüttel Zeughaus and transferred to The Brunswick Zeughaus when the family moved from Wolfenbüttel in 1753/54. The inventory of the Hanover Zeughaus in 1854 records six swords from this group, three dated 1573 and three dated 1574. A document describing the decoration of Schloss Blankenburg in 1868 with arms and armour from The Brunswick Zeughaus records thirty-six swords which are probably from this group.
The following two lots are part of a group of armours and elements of armour that are distinguished, among other things, by its finely etched decoration involving, at the left of the breastplate, a representation of Daniel in the Lion’s Den enclosed within an inscribed circular or quatrefoil border and usually, as in the present instance, accompanied by a crowned heart flanked by clasped hands and the initials ‘H’ and ‘I’. Of the twenty-two recorded armours or detached breastplates belonging or relating to this group eight were, until recently, in the Blankenburg and Marienburg collections while two are in the Philadelphia Museum of Art (acc. nos 1977.167.19 & 23) and one each in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (acc. No. 14.25.71), the Higgins Armoury Museum, Worcester, Massachusetts (inv. no. JWHA 935), the Cleveland Museum of Art, the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (inv. no. I 78), the State Historical Museum, Moscow, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, the Hofjagd and Rüstkammer, Vienna (A 400 and 705), the collection of H. M. The Queen, Windsor Castle (cat. no. 111), the former Schlesisches Museum, Breslau, the Welfenmuseum, Hanover, and a private collection. The presence within the decoration of the majority of these armours of a crowned heart flanked by clasped hands and the initials ‘H’ and ‘I’ led to the long-held belief that they were made for the festivities associated with Duke Julius’s marriage to his niece Hedwig, daughter of Joachim II, Elector of Brandenburg in Berlin on the 25th of February in 1560. A recent reappraisal of the evidence however, reveals that this can not have been the case as two of the group are dated 1562 and another 1563. Moreover the initials ‘H’ and ‘I’, constitute the normal monograph of Duke Julius and refer to ‘Herzog Julius’, not ‘Hedwig’ and ‘Julius’. The image of Daniel in the Lions’ Den (Daniel 6:16-24) was a popular one among Protestants in the mid-16th century being found, for example, on a Lower Saxon tapestry dated 1550 and on the ‘Daniel-Taler’ of the Regent Maria von Jever, dated 1561, and symbolising their precarious position among the Catholic States of Europe. The inscription that borders the image on the armours was perhaps inspired by St Paul’s line, ‘Now may the God of Peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete’ (1Thessalonians 5:23). The so-called ‘wedding’ armours of Duke Julius represent the apogée of the Brunswick armourers’ craft. Their fine decoration, showing a curious mixture of biblical, classical, sporting and heraldic subjects is based on the graphic works of such diverse artists as Cornelius Bos, Virgil Solis and Cornelius Floris. Because of the incompleteness of the ducal account books prior to 1568, the authorship of the ‘wedding’ armours remains unrecorded. Foremost among the Brunswick armourers of the 16th century were members of the Gabriel family, among whom Claus Gabriel the Younger (recorded 1551 to 1596 and for a while Mayor of the City) and Wulf Gabriel (married 1560, appointed Ducal Armourer in the Zeughaus at Wolfenbüttel 1572, died 1581) could conceivably have been the maker of at least some of the ‘wedding’ armours. See A. Von Rohr, Z.H.W.K., 1988.
An etched north German breastplate, Brunswick, circa 1560-65. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
formed of a heavy main plate with a strong medial ridge projecting forwards over the belly (so-called Tapulbrust), fitted with a stud beneath the centre of the neck-opening for a buffe (chipped, gussets and waist-plate missing), the neck with finely roped turn interrupted with a central moulding, the left shoulder with a portion of a later buckle for a strap, etched with at the left of the chest with a representation of Daniel in the Lion's Den attended by the prophet Habakuk and an angel within a quatrefoil border inscribed 'ACH.HER.MEIN.GOT. BEHUT.MICH.NICHT.MER.DAN.SEL.ERE.UND.LEIB.IVLIUS.H.Z.B.V.L' over a crowned heart flanked by clasped hands and the initials 'H' and 'I', and in three vertical bands and an ogee-shaped border at the neck with scrolling foliage involving a hunting scene at the neck, and in the left and right bands respectively with the standing figures of Judith with the head of Holofernes and Salome with the head of John the Baptist, all on a stippled and blackened ground and enclosed within beadwork frames (extensive rust patination, the etching obscured in places);32.5cm; 12 3/4in high - Estimate: £10000-12000
Literature:Dr. J. Fastenau, Die Waffensammlung, 1910, no. 26.
A fine north German etched backplate, Brunswick, circa 1555-65. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
formed of a mainplate, well shaped to the shoulders, the neck and arm-openings decorated with file roped inward turns accompanied by recessed borders enclosed at their inside by a single flute, fitted at its lower edge with a waist lame flanged outwards to receive a culet, etched in three diverging bands and in the main border with scrolling foliage involving sea-monsters, cornucopia, flowerheads and, in the central band, the figure of Eve standing on a skull and holding an apple, all on a stippled and blackened ground (areas of wear and patination);34cm; 13 3/8in high - Estimate: £4000-5000
A Brunswick embossed iron patron, no.20, dated 1571, for a member of the guard of Julius, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg in Wolfenbüttel (1528-89). photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
with plano-convex body flanged at the base, domed lid hinged at the back and closed by a spring-catch at the front, embossed and chiselled with a cabled panel interrupted by the Ducal monogram, enclosing a lion mask supported by arched ribbons over the date, the crowned Ducal monogram and number, a pair of rampant lion supporters left and right, and all in low relief on a stippled ground, the lid embossed and chiselled with the crowned Ducal monogram and lion supporters, with an associated brass facing plate for a core of five apertures, and later wooden core, back and basal plate; 14cm; 5 1/2in high - Estimate: £6000-8000
Another patron from this group is illustrated R. Bohlmann 1915 p.24, abb. 56. A further example was included in the Exhibition of Arms, Armour and Militaria lent by H.R.H. The Duke of Brunswick at the Tower of London, April 10th-October 31st 1952, no.188, and another is preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
A north German close helmet, circa 1560-80, probably Brunswick.
with rounded one-piece skull rising to a roped medial comb and fitted at the nape with a plume-holder (the skull with an early patched repair and one small hole), visor, upper bevor and bevor attached by common pivots (replaced), each secured at the right side by a spring-catch (that for the visor missing its lifting-peg), the visor with stepped centrally-divided vision-slit and pierced with six rectangular and four circular ventilation holes and a pair of holes for the attachment of a brow reinforce, the prow-shaped upper bevor pierced with circular arrangements of ventilation holes, two gorget-plates front and rear (rusted throughout) and later leathers; -40.6cm; 16in high - Estimate: £4500-5500
A north German breastplate, Brunswick, circa 1560-70. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
formed of a heavy main plate with a strong medial ridge projecting forward over the belly (so-called Tapulbrust), struck at the centre of the neck-opening with a serial mark comprising seven small circles and pierced beneath for a staple for the attachment of a buffe, moveable gussets at the arm openings, fauld of a single lame fitted with pierced stud for the attachment of an extension, the main plate decorated around the neck with a pair of incised lines forming an ogee-shaped border and a cabled band beneath (rusted, areas of pitting), and the neck and gussets with file-roped inward turns;34.5cm; 13 5/8in high - Estimate: £3000-5000
The cabled or cord incised around the neck of the breastplate was perhaps the insignia of an officer. It can be compared with the diagonal chain occurring on the breastplate of two armours formerly in the Blankenburg and Marienburg collections. See R. Bohlmann, 1915, nos 10 and 11, figs 34-5, and the backplate of lot 285 Sotheby's, Marienburg, October 2005.
A German sporting crossbow, late 16th century. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
with steel bow struck with the two marks (Neue Støckel 6451) retained by later cords, fitted with an adjustable steel collar joined by a steel stirrup on each side of the tiller and later string, hardwood tiller veneered with engraved staghorn plaques top and bottom, the latter decorated with two allegorical figures including fortune beneath the bow, a green man mask centring on an aperture for inserting loading rods, and profile masks on each side of the mechanism, the sides of the tiller finely inlaid with engraved staghorn plaquettes, including a running pattern of scrolling foliage, ball flowers and profile masks, the top of the tiller fitted with a later wooden bar for use as a slurbow, iron nut, iron trigger-guard and a pair of iron lugs for loading (the inlay with minor losses and wear, small chips, the butt-plate missing); 59cm; 23 1/4in tiller - Estimate: £3500-4500
Literature: Dr. J. Fastenau, Die Waffensammlung, 1910, no. 184.
It would appear that this was modified for use as a slurbow in the early 19th century, probably when the string and cords were replaced.
A German two-hand processional sword, early 17th century. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
with double-edged blade of flattened-hexagonal then flattened-diamond section, rectangular ricasso cut with a pair of lines and stamped with a series of dots, iron hilt comprising a pair of slightly down-curved flat quillons with shaped terminals, each interrupted by a moulding and formed with a slender curled lug beneath, inner and outer ring-guards each interrupted by a circular central moulding framed by a pair of incised lines and filled with a plate, later globular pommel and later turned wooden grip; 117.5cm; 46 1/4in blade - Estimate: £2000-3000
A German two-hand processional sword, late 16th/early 17th century. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
with double-edged blade of flattened-diamond section, long rectangular ricasso formed with a pair of crescentic lugs and incised with a pair of lines on each side, iron hilt comprising a pair of down-curved quillons with tightly curling terminals formed with a further pair of scrolled terminals behind, inner and outer ring-guards each filled with a fleur-de-lys, decorated throughout with scrollwork, later large globular pommel, and later turned wooden grip;137.8cm; 54 3/8in blade - Estimate: £2000-3000
A pair of north German tassets of adjustable length, Brunswick, circa 1560-70. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
each formed of eight lames divisible between the fourth and fifth, the top lame with three buckles for suspension, detachable poleyns of four lames with a small centrally-puckered oval side-wing, decorated throughout with roped turns and fitted with some later pewter rosette washers (small cracks and laminations, small areas of rust, releathered); 51.5cm; 20 1/4in;(2) -Estimate: £2000-2500
A pair of north German tassets of adjustable length, Brunswick, circa 1560-70. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
each formed of eight lames divisible between the fourth and fifth (the left partly disarticulated), the top lame with three buckles for suspension, detachable poleyns of four lames with a small flat oval side-wing, decorated throughout with roped turns and with bright recessed bands on a black ground, and fitted with a number of later original brass rosette washers (areas of pitting, releathered); 44cm; 17 3/8in; (2) - Estimate: £2000-2500
A north German boar spear from the hunt of Julius, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg in Wolfenbüttel (1528-89), N°. 13, dated 1571. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
with leaf-shaped blade, stamped with a mill wheel mark, etched with the crowned Ducal monogram 'HI' supported by a pair of lions, the number and the date on each side (light wear), on an early wooden haft bound with a trellis pattern of leather retained by brass domed rivets; 29.5cm; 11 3/4in head - Estimate: £1200-1800
Exhibited : Arms, Armour & Militaria lent by H.R.H. The Duke of Brunswick at the Tower of London, April 10th-October 31st 1952, cat. No.97.
A German halberd, mid-16th century. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
with central knife-like blade formed with a single cutting edge, axe-blade with near-straight leading edge, off-set triangular fluke cut with a pair of cusps beneath, stamped with a mark on one side, and a pair of long straps, on a wooden haft; 52cm; 20 1/2in head - Estimate: £1000-1500
A German etched halberd, circa 1580-90, probably Brunswick. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
with broad medially ridged leaf-shaped central blade etched with a chevron pattern on each side, small crescentic axe blade stamped '15' on one side, slender fluke formed with an up-turned lug and struck with a clover leaf mark on one side, faceted socket and a pair of plain straps, on an early wooden haft carved with a nodular pattern (the centre wormed and now in two pieces), with a spiked iron shoe; 45.6cm; 18in head - Estimate: £800-1500
A halberd of similar form and struck with the same mark was sold Sotheby's, Marienburg, October 2005, lot 260. Another is preserved in the Landeszeughaus, Graz.
Two north German gauntlets for the right hand, Brunswick, circa 1560-70. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
the first with flared pointed cuff, fixed inner plate, five metacarpal-plates, shaped knuckle-plate and five shaped finger-plates (thumb-defence missing), embossed with recessed panels in the so-called black-and-white fashion, and the cuff with turned roped edge, accompanied by later pewter florette washers; the second with flared rounded cuff, fixed inner plate, four metacarpal-plates, shaped knuckle-plate and five shaped finger-plates (thumb-defence missing, the cuff now detached), the cuff with turned roped edge, and retaining most of its original brass florette washers;(2) - Estimate: £500-800
Two north German vambraces, Brunswick circa 1580. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
each formed of a tubular upper and lower cannon, the former fitted with a turner of three lames, bracelet couter of three lames, one decorated with incised lines and plain turned edges, and the other with roped turns and fitted with some later pewter rosette washers (the uppermost left lames associated); (2) - Estimate: £700-900
Two north German vambraces, Brunswick circa 1580. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
with minor differences, each formed of a medially ridged tubular upper and lower cannon, the former fitted with a turner of two and three lames respectively, winged bracelet couter of three lames, the main edges with roped inward turns, and each decorated with later brass rosette washers; (2) - Estimate: £700-900
A pair of German vambraces from a black and white armour, circa 1580, possibly Brunswick. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
with minor differences, each formed of a tubular upper and lower cannon, the former fitted with a turner of three lames on the left and two on the right, bracelet couter of three lames (one patched), and the main edges with roped inward turns; (2) - Estimate: £700-900
A north German skirt for a breastplate, Brunswick, circa 1560-70. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
formed of three lames divisible between the first and second, the latter fitted with a hook on each side, and the lowest lame decorated with a roped edge accompanied by later pewter florette washers - Estimate: £500-700
Two besagews, probably north German, 16th century. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
of circular convex form, each rising to a central point and with turned roped edge, in one case accompanied by a recessed border; 12.7cm; 5in - 14.3cm; 5 5/8in;(2) - Estimate: £150-250
Thomas Del Mar Ltd . Antique Arms, Armour & Militaria Sale. Wednesday 8th December 2010
The Brunswick Armourers @ The Hanoverian Royal Family and Their Collections
The Brunswick Armourers
With its proximity to the Harz mountains and their wealth of metal deposits Brunswick had been an important metalworking centre as early as the 13th Century. The death of Conrad de platenmekere (the armourer) is recorded in 1320. From surviving documents from 1303 onwards there are increasingly frequent mentions in the old city of the crafts of Helmsleger (helm forger), Platenschleger (armour forger), platenmekere (armour maker) and Harneschmeker (harness maker).
The Brunswick armourers reached their highest standing in the 16th Century when their reputation appears to have extended beyond the borders of Germany, with commissions being received in 1556 for ten etched full armours from Prince Gustav of Sweden and a request for armour from Brunswick was made in 1563 by Jacob, Archbishop of Reuss and Imperial Legate to Poland for service against the Duke of Moscow. In addition to the manufacture of armour there are a number of extant documents recording its decoration by etchers who were members of the painters guild. The production of armour ranged from highly decorated pieces for important patrons through to considerable quantities of simpler pieces for the use of regular troops, which might be left ‘in the white’, blued or decorated in the so-called ‘black and white’ fashion. Much munition armour has been recorded in the arsenals throughout the former Duchy, such as those of Brunswick town, Minden, Celle and Emdem amongst several others. In the past confusion has been created between this latter group of munition armours and those made specifically for the Dukes that might have originally been preserved in the dukes personal Rustkammer (armoury) which was first a part of the residence in Wolfenbüttel, then stored above the library there before being absorbed into the main Zeughaus, located next to the Schloss. The Zeughaus still stands today, an impressive substantial building that now houses part of the Herzog August library.
A north German cuisse for the left leg in the so-called 'Maximilian' fashion, circa 1520-30, probably Brunswick. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
formed of a gutter-shaped main plate with an upper extension-plate and a poleyn of five lames with a flat centrally-puckered oval side-wing, decorated throughout with patterns of flutes emphasised by pairs of incised lines, and at their main edges with roped turns accompanied by recessed borders, and later leathers - Estimate: £1200-1500
Exhibited: Almost certainly no. 31 at the Exhibition of Arms, Armour & Militaria lent by H.R.H. The Duke of Brunswick at the Tower of London, April 10th-October 31st 1952.
A pair of very similar cuisses were sold Sotheby's, Marienburg, October 2005, lot 274.
A pair of fluted tassets in the so-called 'Maximilian' fashion, probably Brunswick, circa 1520-30. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
each formed of the four lames, the upper fitted with a pair of hinges (incomplete) for attaching to a skirt, decorated throughout with patterns of flutes emphasised by pairs of incised lines, their lower borders embossed with three bands and turned roped edges, and later leathers (2) - Estimate: £800-1200
A German spear, late 15th century. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
with triangular blade of flattened-diamond section, stamped with a mark on each side and pierced with three holes on each side at the base, short conical socket fitted with a robust up-turned spike, on an early wooden haft bound with a trellis pattern of leather; 38.5cm; 15 1/8in head - Estimate: £800-1000
Elements of north German armour including a portion of a gauntlet in the so-called 'Maximilian' fashion, circa 1520-30, probably Brunswick. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
the gauntlet for the right hand, formed of a short flaring cuff, fitted with a hinged inner plate, and two metacarpal plates; four lames of a long tasset (disarticulated), all decorated with patterns of fluting emphasised by incised lines, and the poll-plate of a chanfron (rusted throughout) (4) - Estimate: £500-700
Literature: Dr. J. Fastenau, Die Waffensammlung, 1910, nos. 32 and 306.
The lowest front plate from a gorget in the so-called 'Maximilian' fashion, circa 1505-10, possibly Brunswick. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
pierced with a key-hole slot at the left and fitted with a stud at the right shoulder to attach it to a rear plate, and decorated on each side with three diverging flutes emphasised by pairs of incised lines (rusted) - Estimate: £300-400
A German infantry spear, first half of the 16th century. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
with medially-ridged diamond-shaped head tapering to a narrow point (the tip blunted), and conical socket, on an early wooden haft
22.2cm; 8 3/4in head - Estimate: £300-400
For similar examples from this collection see Sotheby's Marienburg, October 2005, lot 249
Note: Each was infected with his love of pageantry and ostentation, which in turn was fuelled by rivalry for Napoleon’s earlier displays in Paris 1821. On his death the throne passed to William IV who was the last monarch to rule the kingdoms of Great Britain, Ireland and Hanover and by who’s death in 1837 (under Salic law) Hanover could only be inherited by the senior male member of the family whereas Great Britain could descend to a female of the main line. Hence the Kingdom of Hanover passed to William IV’s next surviving brother Prince Ernst August, Duke of Cumberland, whilst the British throne went to his deceased elder brother’s only child, The Princess Victoria. Ernst August (1771-1851), the fifth son of King George III was portrayed as a difficult person by his contemporaries and was described by his sister-in-law, Queen Caroline, Princess of Brunswick (1768- 1821), as “absolutely repulsive”. This aside, he was passionate about art and the family collections and as early as 1843 he declared all objects of art in his private collection as a family entailed estate. During the early years of his reign a dispute arose between King Ernst August and his niece, Queen Victoria, about the ownership of valuable and historical family jewels and works of art which his father King George III had given to his mother Queen Charlotte. The King of Hanover claimed a number of objects seen as part of the Hanover throne inheritance but which had been taken to England. Significant state portraits and indispensable items representative of Hanover court culture – for example, the priceless silver furniture of George II – came to London. Negotiations were conducted for the return of these and other valuable items. The outcome was that several pieces were given back to Hanover. When he died in 1851, his military and political contributions were underlined as he lay in state : “Beside the King lay, on silver silk cushions, the Crown and Sceptre of Hanover, his busby and sabre, his English Field Marshal’s staff and the Chains of the Order of the Garter and of St. George”. Ernst August was succeeded as King of Hanover and Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg by his son George V (1819-1878). In 1843 George married Princess Marie of Saxe- Altenburg, to whom he was devoted and for whom he was later to build Schloss Marienburg. Hanover’s choice to side with Austria in the dispute over the reformation of the German Federation cost them dear and ultimately the Kingdom was annexed by Prussian troops following the battle of Langensalza on 27 June 1866. The Prussian minister, Bismarck took possession of many parts of the family collections, parts of which were later reunited with the exiled family. Prior to this, to protect against further dispossession, many valuable works of art were evacuated from annexed Hanover into safe territory: the Silver Chamber, the Guelph Museum collection and the coin collection were moved to Vienna and other collections to Hietzing in the vicinity of Vienna. George V went into exile in Austria in 1866, where his cousin, Duke William of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, lived at Villa Braunschweig. George V died in 1878, while on a visit to Paris, and is buried at Windsor next to his ancestors, the Kings of England and Hanover. His son Ernst August, (1845-1923), Duke of Cumberland and Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg inherited the Duchy of Brunswick- Wolfenbüttel in 1884 from his cousin Duke William, the second son of Duke Frederick William (1771-1815) and Marie, Princess of Baden. With the Duchy Wolfenbüttel Ernst August also inherited its art collection including the armouries of the Dukes of Brunswick in part from Blankenburg, originated in turn from Wolfenbüttel, as well as the various remnants of arsenals throughout the Duchy, and the ducal and princely gunrooms of both the Dukes of Brunswick and the Kings of Hanover. In 1913, Brunswick again became a sovereign duchy for a brief period following the marriage of the Kaiser’s daughter Viktoria Luise (1892-1980) and Ernst August (III), Duke of Brunswick (1887- 1953). This began to end the troubled history between the house of Hanover and Prussia, and brought about the restoration of the confiscated Hanoverian states. The wedding took place in Berlin in 1913 and marked the last great gathering of European monarchy before the outbreak of World War I. Their only daughter, Princess Frederica (1917-1981) married Paul I, King of the Hellenes (parents of H.M. King Constantine living in exile in London and of H.M. Queen Sophia of Spain). In 1946 their son, H.R.H. Prince George Wilhelm, married Princess Sophia of Greece (1914-2001), sister of H.R.H. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Five years after the end of the First World War, Duke Ernst August III was one of the first German regents forced to sign the abdication papers for the state of Brunswick (not for Hanover) a day before the Emperor of Germany abdicated and the Weimar Republic was founded. In 1926, the Hanoverian royal family took up residence in their renaissance castle overlooking the town of Blankenburg in the Harz mountains east of Hanover. Here they lived until 1945, when due to the advancing Red Army in the closing stages of World War II, the family was again obliged to leave the property at Blankenburg and found shelter in Marienburg. An eyewitness account recalls the transport of the collections from Blankenburg to Marienburg by British troops, with armour clad mannequins tied with ropes swaying in the back of army trucks as they descended the Harz mountains. A number of pieces were loaned to the Tower of London exhibition in 1952, many of which are included here. The full account of the location and relocation of the Ducal Armouries and Gewehrkammer of the Dukes of Brunswick and those of the Kings of Hanover is a complex one, not least because of the forced moves inflicted upon the family by the Prussians and two World Wars. There have been a number of sales from this group, most notably by Sotheby’s in October 2005 at Schloss Marienburg, where the arms, armour and militaria comprised almost one thousand lots and were sold for a total of £4,764,0004, which continues to stand as a world auction record for an ancestral collection in this field. The present group includes a number of highlights, such as the guns of George IV and pieces from the distinguished Rüstkammer of Julius, Duke of Brunswick.
Thomas Del Mar Ltd . Antique Arms, Armour & Militaria Sale. Wednesday 8th December 2010
A fine and rare Venetian parade shield made for the bodyguard of Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, Prince Archbishop of Salzburg, 16°c
A fine and rare Venetian parade shield made for the bodyguard of Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, Prince Archbishop of Salzburg, late16th century. photo Thomas Del Mar Ltd
of convex near circular form, constructed of two-ply wood covered with leather decorated on its front face, within an outer border of foliate chevrons and engrailing and an inner border of running foliage and flower-heads, with a pattern of foliate interlace and flowerheads all tooled and lacquered gold over silver, the ground of the main field additionally covered with translucent red lacquer, and the detail picked out throughout with red and green lacquer, the rear retaining traces of yellow-painted decoration, and fitted with a quilted leather arm-pad, a forward enarme and the remains of a rear enarme, the outer edge fitted with a screw and hook for suspension, (the leather covering showing some cracking and worm on both faces, as well as peripheral losses, the lacquering with areas of wear); 56.5cm; 22 1/4in wide - Estimate 8,000-12,000 €
This shield is one of a series made in the time of Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, who ruled as Prince Archbishop of Salzburg, 1587-1612. An inventory of 1669, now in the archives of the Städtisches Museum, Salzburg, mentions 398 gilded and painted shields. Some seventy of these shields are still to be found in the Carolina-Augusteum Museum, Salzburg.
When Salzburg was occupied by the Bavarian troops in 1809 a number of these shields were transferred to the main Zeughaus at Munich, and sold from there after the First World War.
Other examples of this distinctive group of shields are to be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (Acc. No. 29.158.586) the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Art Institute, of Chicago, the Wallace Collection, London, the Historisches Museum, Dresden (Inv. No. N1), and Schloss Vaduz, Liechtenstein (cat. no. 871 & 881). Another was in the collection of Lord Astor of Hever (sold Sotheby's, London, 5 May 1983, Lot 29).
The fashion for Turkish-style arms is recorded in Europe as early as the middle years of the 16th Century. King Philip II had a 'Turkish' bodyguard for his entry into Milan in 1548. The influence of Turkish taste is evident in both the style and technique of decoration of the Salzburg shields which has its origins in Turkish bookbindings of the period. During the 16th Century Venice had its own leatherworkers guild and many bookbindings as well as helmets, shields and quivers were made in this manner.
For a contemporary discussion on the Venetian technique of varnishing and gilding see Leonardo Fioravanti, Compendio de' Secreti Nationali, Venice 1562 and Tommaso Garzoni, La Piazza universale di tutte le professioni del mondo, Nuovamente ristampata, posta in luce da Thomaso Garzoni da Bagnacauallo, con l'aggiunta d'alcune bellissime annotationi a discorso per discorso, Venice 1589. See E.J. Grube, 2007, pp. 231-251.
Related shields of this type, but not part of the Salzburg contract are preserved in the armoury of the Palazzo Ducale, Venice (See U. Franzoi 1990, pp. 82-3). Another, set with a late 15th Century besagew in the centre and perhaps related to a group in the Correr Museum, Venice, was sold Sotheby's, Milan, 14th October 2009, lot 1217, €17,500 (including premium).
Thomas Del Mar Ltd . Antique Arms, Armour & Militaria Sale. Wednesday 8th December 2010
Ottoman Harness Bridle, bowcase, wheel-lock rifle & Ray-Skin powder flask, Turkey, 17th c
A rare Ottoman Harness Bridle, Turkey, 17th century. photo courtesy Sotheby's
the headstall and breast strap of reddish-brown leather set with minor silver-gilt panels decorated in relief with stylised floral motifs and arabesques, with major plaques in the form of spiralling flowerheads and cusped palmettes, with two larger plaques mounted at key junctions and similar pendants at various places, the headstall with a layer of gilt-metal thread; 150cm. approx. max. length. Estimate 60,000—80,000 GBP. Lot Sold 73,250 GBP
NOTE: Harness bridles of this type are a wonderful display of the intricate and detailed ornaments carried by horses in the Ottoman army. A number of similar examples were reportedly part of the booty taken by the Holy League after their victory over the Ottoman forces of Kara Mustafa at the Battle of Vienna in 1683. Led by King John III Sobieski of Poland, the Austrian, German and Polish armies ended the city's two-month siege, marking the turning point of the Ottoman-Habsburg wars and initiating the retreat of Kara Mustafa's army from Europe.
An insight into the extensive riches left behind by the Ottomans is provided by Alicia Tindal Palmer in her memoirs of John Sobieski. Palmer underlines that "The treasures which had been abandoned by the Ottomans were found to be immense and were duly apportioned according to the several claims of the victors. (...) So valuable was the share allotted to the king of Poland, that he was induced with his accustomed pleasantry to write to the queen that the grand vizier [Kara Mustafa] had left him his residuary legatee" (Alicia T. Palmer, Authentic Memoirs of the Life of John Sobieski, King of Poland, London, 1815, p.225).
Two comparable Ottoman bridles from the late 17th century are now at the Badisches Landesmuseum in Karlsruhe (see David Alexander, Furusiyya, vol. II, Riyadh, 1996, p.90, nos.76-7).
A rare Ottoman bowcase with engraved metal fittings, Turkey, circa 17th century. photo courtesy Sotheby's
the red velvet-covered leather bowcase with various engraved silver-gilt fittings, border of small cusped cartouches and palmettes, larger chandelier-form fittings, replacement central medallion engraved with stylised leaf motif; 54 by 28.3cm. max. Estimate 40,000—60,000 GBP. Lot Sold 49,250 GBP
NOTE: This bowcase is from the same workshop as the quiver and bowcase PI.95 in War and Peace, Istanbul, 1999, from the Schaffgotsch collections in Cieplice now at the National Museum in Poznan, Poland, since 1952, inv. nos. Rw 1137/1 and Rw 1138 respectively.
A Rare Ottoman mother-of-pearl, gold and silver-inlaid wheel-lock rifle, Turkey, circa 1650. photo courtesy Sotheby's
the tapering circular watered-steel barrel, octagonal at the breech, with inlaid silver and gold decoration depicting a human figure amongst pointed trefoils and arabesques, the forestock with mother-of-pearl-inlaid cartouches and undulating triangles, the underside of the stock and butt inlaid with mother-of-pearl crescents and diamond shapes, the wheel-lock with finely carved stylised vegetal motifs, with fine wooden ramrod ; 116cm - Estimate 35,000—40,000 GBP. Lot Sold 43,250 GBP
NOTE: inscription Stamp: Undeciphered
A comparable Ottoman wheel-lock rifle dated 1640-50 with almost identical decorative elements was exhibited at Acte-Expo in Paris in May-July 1988 and published in H. Ricketts and P. Missilier, Splendeur des Armes Orientales, Paris, 1988, pp.31-2, no.26.
An Ottoman Ray-Skin powder flask with applied silver mounts, Turkey, 17th century. photo courtesy Sotheby's
of nautilus form, the ray-skin applied onto the body of the wooden flask, silver mounts at each extremity with engraved niello-work comprising stylised lotus leaves; 17cm. max. Estimate 3,000—4,000 GBP. Lot Sold 9,375 GBP
Sotheby's. Arts of the Islamic World, 06 Oct 10, London www.sothebys.com
Annam - ordre du Kim Khanh, ordre du Dragon d'Annam & Médaille militaire
Annam, ordre du Kim Khanh.
insigne de 3e classe du règne de Bao Daï (1926-1945) en or, anneau de suspension, manque les pampilles. Hauteur: 37 mm - Largeur: 67 mm. TTB - Estimation : 500 / 600 €
Annam - ordre du Dragon d'Annam.
ondé en 1886, insigne d'officier à titre militaire en bronze doré et émail, ruban rouge à bordure jaune à rosette. On joint un insigne français des blessés en bronze doré et émail, avec deux étoiles sur le ruban. Hauteur: 90 mm - Largeur: 50 mm. SUP - Estimation : 100 / 150 €
Annam - Médaille militaire.
instituée en 1890, en vermeil, poinçon à la tête de sanglier sur le nœud formant pontet et de la maison Bacqueville sur l'anneau, long ruban tissé un peu fané. Remise pendant une année environ, cette médaille d'une extrême rareté. Hauteur: 49 mm - Largeur: 30 mm. TTB à SUP - Estimation : 1 000 / 1 500 €
Beaussant-Lefèvre - Paris. Vente du Vendredi 8 octobre 2010. Drouot Richelieu - Salle 10 - 9, rue Drouot - 75009 Paris. Téléphone pendant l’exposition et la vente : 01 48 00 20 10
