Blade and Armour
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Historical arms Firearms II Revolution and Empire India Islam
Chronology : 1460-1479 1790-1799 1800-1809
See also : Historical arms Firearms II Revolution and Empire India Islam
Chronology : 1460-1479 1790-1799 1800-1809
Britannia Helmet
2010 SOLD for £ 2.3M by Christie's
Buried for nearly 2,000 years in the ground of Cumbria, an outstanding parade headset was discovered a few months ago by a metal detector. It is in very good condition.
Cumbria, later Cumberland, is the north-west of England (Britannia), on the border of Scotland (Caledonia). From 875AUC, this territory was protected in the north by the Hadrian wall.
The era of Pax Romana is unique in world history: between the reigns of Augustus and Trajan, the Roman domination was total, without invasion and with limited civil wars. This political success that spans over a century is based on a strong network of garrisons located throughout the borders of the Empire.
Our helmet is necessarily subsequent to the conquests of Vespasian, begun in 824AUC. Christie's dates it to the late first century or to the second century of our calendar.
It is an equipment for parade or sport, not a military helmet. It is composed of two parts. The bronze Phrygian shaped cap is topped by a griffin crest where streamers could be tied. The face mask bearing the likeness of a young man is in tin plated bronze.
It was sold for £ 2.3M from a lower estimate of £ 200K by Christie's on October 7, 2010.
The image is shared on Wikimedia with attribution : Portable Antiquities Scheme from London, England [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]
Cumbria, later Cumberland, is the north-west of England (Britannia), on the border of Scotland (Caledonia). From 875AUC, this territory was protected in the north by the Hadrian wall.
The era of Pax Romana is unique in world history: between the reigns of Augustus and Trajan, the Roman domination was total, without invasion and with limited civil wars. This political success that spans over a century is based on a strong network of garrisons located throughout the borders of the Empire.
Our helmet is necessarily subsequent to the conquests of Vespasian, begun in 824AUC. Christie's dates it to the late first century or to the second century of our calendar.
It is an equipment for parade or sport, not a military helmet. It is composed of two parts. The bronze Phrygian shaped cap is topped by a griffin crest where streamers could be tied. The face mask bearing the likeness of a young man is in tin plated bronze.
It was sold for £ 2.3M from a lower estimate of £ 200K by Christie's on October 7, 2010.
The image is shared on Wikimedia with attribution : Portable Antiquities Scheme from London, England [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]
Antonine Helmet and Dolabra
2024 for sale on January 30 by Christie's
In the mid 2nd century CE during the Antonine period, iron has replaced bronze for the equipment of the Roman infantry legions. The helmet is of the utmost importance in infantry. The dolabra is a multi purpose Italian pickaxe used for mining, excavating, ritual animal slaughtering and preparing the camp.
A well preserved example has been kept in complete condition excepted the hinged cheek pieces which are missing. In an early Imperial legion shape identified as the Weisenau type, it is made of an iron dome with brass crossing bands plus a riveted openwork brow ridge and a neck guard.
The guard is punched with the name of its Roman owner. The back of the dome is twice decorated with a small mouse chasing a circular piece which may be some bread.
This 47 cm wide helmet is accompanied by a 32 cm dolabra of similar make. The set is estimated $ 1M for sale by Christie's on January 30, 2024, lot 33.
A well preserved example has been kept in complete condition excepted the hinged cheek pieces which are missing. In an early Imperial legion shape identified as the Weisenau type, it is made of an iron dome with brass crossing bands plus a riveted openwork brow ridge and a neck guard.
The guard is punched with the name of its Roman owner. The back of the dome is twice decorated with a small mouse chasing a circular piece which may be some bread.
This 47 cm wide helmet is accompanied by a 32 cm dolabra of similar make. The set is estimated $ 1M for sale by Christie's on January 30, 2024, lot 33.
Mamluk Shirt of Mail
2015 SOLD for $ 2.3M by RIAC
The shirt of mail is used to protect the body of the warrior against the blades of the enemy. Worn as any other shirt, this armor remains lightweight thanks to its structure as a pattern of metal rings in iron or steel. Luxury models are decorated with riveted plates that can be inlaid.
On December 5, 2015, RIAC sold for $ 2.3M from a lower estimate of $ 200K a Mamluk shirt of mail and plate, lot 1262.
The weaving of this garment is the simplest and most effective model where each ring is linked with its four surrounding rings. The coat opens from the front side. At the front and back of the garment, the plates are inlaid with a gilding of koftgari type.
Inscriptions are difficult to read, but the reference to the Mamluk Sultan Qaitbay seems indisputable. It was probably created for the sultan himself or one of his riders. A similar armor assigned to the same reign is preserved at the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul. Qaitbay ruled Egypt from 871 to 901 AH, during the last quarter of the 15th century of our calendar.
This piece is in a very satisfactory condition for its age. A few rings and a few plate rivets are missing or twisted. About 60% of the koftgari is present with a particularly good conservation on the front of the shirt.
On December 5, 2015, RIAC sold for $ 2.3M from a lower estimate of $ 200K a Mamluk shirt of mail and plate, lot 1262.
The weaving of this garment is the simplest and most effective model where each ring is linked with its four surrounding rings. The coat opens from the front side. At the front and back of the garment, the plates are inlaid with a gilding of koftgari type.
Inscriptions are difficult to read, but the reference to the Mamluk Sultan Qaitbay seems indisputable. It was probably created for the sultan himself or one of his riders. A similar armor assigned to the same reign is preserved at the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul. Qaitbay ruled Egypt from 871 to 901 AH, during the last quarter of the 15th century of our calendar.
This piece is in a very satisfactory condition for its age. A few rings and a few plate rivets are missing or twisted. About 60% of the koftgari is present with a particularly good conservation on the front of the shirt.
15th century Egyptian armor sells for $2.3 MILLION at Rock Island Auction Company! https://t.co/kwbnILDoSg pic.twitter.com/NWDEVlDcdo
— Rock Island Auction (@RIAuction) December 9, 2015Nasrid Ear Dagger
2010 SOLD for £ 3.7M by Sotheby's
When we fought with knives, the dagger was particularly dangerous, with its short blade that allowed a movement of great precision.
It had also to protect the hand, and the ear dagger was appreciated by hunters and soldiers. In this model, the guard consists of two flat disks (the "ears") confronting on both sides of the handle.
A refined specimen was sold for £ 3.7M from a lower estimate of £ 600K on October 6, 2010 by Sotheby's. Coming from Nasrid Spain, this piece has been made in the 9th century AH, more than 500 years ago. The final defeat of the Nasrids by Ferdinand and Isabella was in 1492 of our calendar.
With a total length of 30 cm, it is finely damascened with scenes of hunting and with cartouches including Kufic-style inscriptions.
It had also to protect the hand, and the ear dagger was appreciated by hunters and soldiers. In this model, the guard consists of two flat disks (the "ears") confronting on both sides of the handle.
A refined specimen was sold for £ 3.7M from a lower estimate of £ 600K on October 6, 2010 by Sotheby's. Coming from Nasrid Spain, this piece has been made in the 9th century AH, more than 500 years ago. The final defeat of the Nasrids by Ferdinand and Isabella was in 1492 of our calendar.
With a total length of 30 cm, it is finely damascened with scenes of hunting and with cartouches including Kufic-style inscriptions.
1628 Mughal Kard
2019 SOLD for $ 3.4M by Christie's
Nothing is too good for the Mughal emperors of India. Prince Salim, who succeeds Akbar, is known as Jahangir which means the possessor of the world. The most capable of his sons, who succeeds him in 1628 CE after a short civil war, immediately takes the reign name of Shah Jahan, the king of the world.
On June 19, 2019, Christie's sold at lot 387 for $ 3.4M from a lower estimate of $ 1.5M a kard which attests to the cosmopolitan character of Mughal art.
The kard is a belt knife made of a straight blade with a handle but without a guard. The example sold by Christie's is 30 cm long overall including a hardened steel blade and a 11 cm handle. The gold inlays on the top side of the blade are Persian in style.
The handle is of an extremely rare type, which has not revealed its secrets. It is made of very pale green jade, which the Mughals imported from China. Its terminal serving as a pommel is a head carved in the round, with a ruff. This head is unusual in Hindu art but corresponds to the taste of Europeans, who did not work with jade.
A human head above the scabbard of a dagger appears in a posthumous image of Jahangir, showing the prince before his accession to the throne. A similar attribute also exists on an image recalling the youth of Shah Jahan. There is no reason to suppose that the blade and the handle were prepared at the same time. We will retain the hypothesis of an assembly carried out in the transition phase between these two emperors. The color of the jade seems consistent with this assumption.
The realistic head of the juvenile-looking character suggests that he was enough beloved by a high Mughal dignitary, perhaps an emperor, to be displayed on his belt. No hypothesis is proposed concerning his identity. I suggest this is the posthumous portrait of a brother or son of an emperor. The ruff is unexplained.
On June 19, 2019, Christie's sold at lot 387 for $ 3.4M from a lower estimate of $ 1.5M a kard which attests to the cosmopolitan character of Mughal art.
The kard is a belt knife made of a straight blade with a handle but without a guard. The example sold by Christie's is 30 cm long overall including a hardened steel blade and a 11 cm handle. The gold inlays on the top side of the blade are Persian in style.
The handle is of an extremely rare type, which has not revealed its secrets. It is made of very pale green jade, which the Mughals imported from China. Its terminal serving as a pommel is a head carved in the round, with a ruff. This head is unusual in Hindu art but corresponds to the taste of Europeans, who did not work with jade.
A human head above the scabbard of a dagger appears in a posthumous image of Jahangir, showing the prince before his accession to the throne. A similar attribute also exists on an image recalling the youth of Shah Jahan. There is no reason to suppose that the blade and the handle were prepared at the same time. We will retain the hypothesis of an assembly carried out in the transition phase between these two emperors. The color of the jade seems consistent with this assumption.
The realistic head of the juvenile-looking character suggests that he was enough beloved by a high Mughal dignitary, perhaps an emperor, to be displayed on his belt. No hypothesis is proposed concerning his identity. I suggest this is the posthumous portrait of a brother or son of an emperor. The ruff is unexplained.
Mughal Style Dagger
2023 SOLD for £ 950K by Christie's
A South Asian dagger in Mughal style accompanied by an earlier scabbard was sold for £ 950K from a lower estimate of £ 300K by Christie's on April 27, 2023, lot 69. This set had been owned by the powerful colonial governor Lord Clive, probably as a diplomatic gift in the practice of the Mughal and subsidiary courts..
The dagger and its fittings were made in North India or Deccan in the first half of the 18th century CE and possibly improved for the use of Clive.
The 39 cm double edged curved blade is in steel with a reinforced tip. The baluster hilt is in nephrite jade abundantly set with emeralds and rubies in gold settings. The ruby set into the finial has been faceted in the style of a diamond.
The 30.5 cm scabbard was made ca 1650 CE in North India or Iran. Its is in wood decorated with poppies with silk and metal thread textile. A 97 cm tassel is attached to the scabbard.
The dagger and its fittings were made in North India or Deccan in the first half of the 18th century CE and possibly improved for the use of Clive.
The 39 cm double edged curved blade is in steel with a reinforced tip. The baluster hilt is in nephrite jade abundantly set with emeralds and rubies in gold settings. The ruby set into the finial has been faceted in the style of a diamond.
The 30.5 cm scabbard was made ca 1650 CE in North India or Iran. Its is in wood decorated with poppies with silk and metal thread textile. A 97 cm tassel is attached to the scabbard.
1799 the Bedchamber Sword of Tipu Sultan
2023 SOLD for £ 14M by Bonhams
Tipu Sultan said that he preferred to live one day as a tiger than a lifetime as a sheep. Nicknamed the Tiger of Mysore, the Sultan was one of the leading protagonists in the fight against the British in India during the wars of colonization. He ruled in an utmost luxury, including a monumental octagonal gold throne. He was a great warrior for the Muslim faith.
The Sultan died in battle in 1799 CE during the siege of his capital Seringapatam. Entering his locked bedchamber, the British observed that the Sultan had lived in constant alert. He used to sleep in a hammock suspended from the ceiling with a pair of pistols and a sword within reach by his side.
That single edged Mughal steel sword with a double edged point follows a model of 16th century German blades. The straight blade 38 mm wide is mounted with a hilt and kept in a velvet covered silver gilt wooden scabbard. The overall length in scabbard is 108 cm.
The gold inlaid calligraphy of the hilt records five of the qualities of God and two invocations calling on God by name. Each of the qualities and one of the invocations are repeated several times. An inscription translates as 'The Sword of the Ruler'.
The sword was presented on the spot by the army to Major General Baird who had led the successful assault on Seringapatam. From the Baird archives, it was sold for £ 150K before fees by Dix Noonan Webb on September 19, 2003, lot 3. It was sold for £ 14M by Bonhams on May 23, 2023, lot 175P.
The Sultan died in battle in 1799 CE during the siege of his capital Seringapatam. Entering his locked bedchamber, the British observed that the Sultan had lived in constant alert. He used to sleep in a hammock suspended from the ceiling with a pair of pistols and a sword within reach by his side.
That single edged Mughal steel sword with a double edged point follows a model of 16th century German blades. The straight blade 38 mm wide is mounted with a hilt and kept in a velvet covered silver gilt wooden scabbard. The overall length in scabbard is 108 cm.
The gold inlaid calligraphy of the hilt records five of the qualities of God and two invocations calling on God by name. Each of the qualities and one of the invocations are repeated several times. An inscription translates as 'The Sword of the Ruler'.
The sword was presented on the spot by the army to Major General Baird who had led the successful assault on Seringapatam. From the Baird archives, it was sold for £ 150K before fees by Dix Noonan Webb on September 19, 2003, lot 3. It was sold for £ 14M by Bonhams on May 23, 2023, lot 175P.
1797-1808 Garniture of Boutet Arms
2021 SOLD for $ 2.9M by RIAC
The production by Boutet of presentation rifles, pistols and swords is responding to a request certainly made by the Premier Consul himself, probably as early as 1800. In 1806, when he granted new kingdoms to his brothers, Napoléon offered them weapons of the highest luxury.
In the following of Napoléon's defeat and abdication, a case of magnificently relief carved imperial arms is exhibited in London in 1816. This garniture is made of a glaive sword with its scabbard, a carbine, a pair of carriage pistols and a pair of pocket pistols. All these pieces have been manufactured by Boutet. The highly dense decoration is made of imperial symbols and Greco-Roman designs.
The provenance of this collection is referred to Général Junot, the aide de camp of the emperor. The garniture should have been presented by Napoléon to Junot at any time but tentatively when he was made gouverneur général of Portugal in 1807 or duc d'Abrantès in 1808. It had been sold by his widow in financial distress during the events of 1815.
The glaive is described as the robe sword carried in hand by Bonaparte in 1799 at Saint-Cloud during his coup d'Etat du 18 brumaire an VIII when he suppressed the Directoire for appointing himself as Premier Consul. It is supposed to have been presented to him by the Directoire in 1797. The five firearms have no evidence of having been carried by the emperor.
The collection was sold for $ 2.9M from a lower estimate of $ 1.5M by RIAC on December 3, 2021, lot 335. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
In the following of Napoléon's defeat and abdication, a case of magnificently relief carved imperial arms is exhibited in London in 1816. This garniture is made of a glaive sword with its scabbard, a carbine, a pair of carriage pistols and a pair of pocket pistols. All these pieces have been manufactured by Boutet. The highly dense decoration is made of imperial symbols and Greco-Roman designs.
The provenance of this collection is referred to Général Junot, the aide de camp of the emperor. The garniture should have been presented by Napoléon to Junot at any time but tentatively when he was made gouverneur général of Portugal in 1807 or duc d'Abrantès in 1808. It had been sold by his widow in financial distress during the events of 1815.
The glaive is described as the robe sword carried in hand by Bonaparte in 1799 at Saint-Cloud during his coup d'Etat du 18 brumaire an VIII when he suppressed the Directoire for appointing himself as Premier Consul. It is supposed to have been presented to him by the Directoire in 1797. The five firearms have no evidence of having been carried by the emperor.
The collection was sold for $ 2.9M from a lower estimate of $ 1.5M by RIAC on December 3, 2021, lot 335. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
1800 The Marengo Sabre of Napoléon
2007 SOLD for € 4.8M by Osenat
The Battle of Marengo takes place on June 14, 1800, 25 Prairial an VIII of the Revolutionary Calendar. The First Consul, Napoléon Bonaparte, leads the Italian campaign. The battle begins with a surprise attack by the Austrians. Bonaparte understands the gravity of the situation and provides the necessary assistance to his endangered army. His action is spectacular and decisive, providing France with the final victory in that war.
Bonaparte immediately understood the advantage of this feat of arms for his personal prestige and for his political future. On May 5, 1805 Bonaparte, who had become Emperor Napoléon I in the meantime, had a throne installed for a military parade on the battlefield. He presides over this ceremony, dressed in the same way as on the day of the battle.
Also in 1805, Napoléon presented his youngest brother Jérôme with the glorious sabre which he had brandished at Marengo. Jérôme, 20 years old, had just returned from the United States where he had married, thwarting the ambition that the emperor could have for him. Napoléon broke this marriage by an imperial decree on March 11, 1805. Having henceforth consolidated his image of a magnificent warrior, he may have used this arm to encourage Jérôme's new military career in his service.
The sabre remained until 2007 with the descendants of Jérôme. Classified as a French monument historique in 1978, it was sold for € 4.8M by Osenat on June 10, 2007. Please watch the video shared by Interencheres.
This arm had been produced by Nicolas-Noël Boutet, the manager of the arms factory in Versailles. The blade has an oriental shape and is decorated with etching. The main fittings for the sabre and its scabbard are in solid gold. The pommel is a Jupiter head in gold.
Bonaparte immediately understood the advantage of this feat of arms for his personal prestige and for his political future. On May 5, 1805 Bonaparte, who had become Emperor Napoléon I in the meantime, had a throne installed for a military parade on the battlefield. He presides over this ceremony, dressed in the same way as on the day of the battle.
Also in 1805, Napoléon presented his youngest brother Jérôme with the glorious sabre which he had brandished at Marengo. Jérôme, 20 years old, had just returned from the United States where he had married, thwarting the ambition that the emperor could have for him. Napoléon broke this marriage by an imperial decree on March 11, 1805. Having henceforth consolidated his image of a magnificent warrior, he may have used this arm to encourage Jérôme's new military career in his service.
The sabre remained until 2007 with the descendants of Jérôme. Classified as a French monument historique in 1978, it was sold for € 4.8M by Osenat on June 10, 2007. Please watch the video shared by Interencheres.
This arm had been produced by Nicolas-Noël Boutet, the manager of the arms factory in Versailles. The blade has an oriental shape and is decorated with etching. The main fittings for the sabre and its scabbard are in solid gold. The pommel is a Jupiter head in gold.
1864 Presentation Sword to General Grant
2007 SOLD for $ 1.67M by Heritage
2023 for sale on December 15 by Heritage
President Lincoln had understood that the border between Kentucky and Tennessee would be one of the keys to the Civil War. Kentucky's neutrality did not last long : on September 5, 1861, a Confederate officer attempts an invasion.
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant reacts on September 6. Like Lincoln, he has roots in Kentucky. He reaches Paducah before the Southerners, preserving the control by the Union of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad and of the Tennessee River traffic. On September 7, the Kentucky General Assembly votes to keep this State in the Union.
Grant multiplies victories and military promotions. The supreme rank, General in Chief of the Armies of the United States, is awarded to him by Congress on March 2, 1864. In the following month, his friends in Kentucky recognize this exceptional distinction by offering him a sword.
Made by Henry Folsom, a silversmith and jeweler in St. Louis, this sumptuous arm is centered with the 36-diamond monogram of the general's USG initials. The solid silver hilt is a winged Victory holding the American eagle above her head. The 84 cm long blade is inlaid with battle scenes.
The sword was kept for one hundred years by Grant and his family with its scabbard and its original ivory mounted presentation case. This set was sold for $ 1.67M by Heritage on June 25, 2007, lot 72184. It will be sold by the same auction house on December 15, 2023, lot 47023.
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant reacts on September 6. Like Lincoln, he has roots in Kentucky. He reaches Paducah before the Southerners, preserving the control by the Union of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad and of the Tennessee River traffic. On September 7, the Kentucky General Assembly votes to keep this State in the Union.
Grant multiplies victories and military promotions. The supreme rank, General in Chief of the Armies of the United States, is awarded to him by Congress on March 2, 1864. In the following month, his friends in Kentucky recognize this exceptional distinction by offering him a sword.
Made by Henry Folsom, a silversmith and jeweler in St. Louis, this sumptuous arm is centered with the 36-diamond monogram of the general's USG initials. The solid silver hilt is a winged Victory holding the American eagle above her head. The 84 cm long blade is inlaid with battle scenes.
The sword was kept for one hundred years by Grant and his family with its scabbard and its original ivory mounted presentation case. This set was sold for $ 1.67M by Heritage on June 25, 2007, lot 72184. It will be sold by the same auction house on December 15, 2023, lot 47023.
1932 Saudi Sword
2013 SOLD for € 975K by Osenat
From 1901, Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman al-Saud managed to conquer Arabia. A series of successful operations granted him separately the titles of king of Hejaz and of Nejd. To go further, he run in 1932 an intense diplomatic program that allowed him to create the unified country which now bears the name of his family, Saudi Arabia.
On the occasion of signing a treaty on May 5, 1932, King Ibn Saud presented a sword to an Afghan prince. It is a gorgeous piece : the blade is 79 cm long and the frame and handle are brightened up with gold and ivory respectively. It is shown in the article shared by Le Figaro.
In the twentieth century, the sword is still a symbol of Arabia as a tribute to the former military conquests of Islam. It was difficult to imagine a more prestigious gift.
This exceptional Arabian sword was sold for € 975K by Osenat on November 17, 2013.
On the occasion of signing a treaty on May 5, 1932, King Ibn Saud presented a sword to an Afghan prince. It is a gorgeous piece : the blade is 79 cm long and the frame and handle are brightened up with gold and ivory respectively. It is shown in the article shared by Le Figaro.
In the twentieth century, the sword is still a symbol of Arabia as a tribute to the former military conquests of Islam. It was difficult to imagine a more prestigious gift.
This exceptional Arabian sword was sold for € 975K by Osenat on November 17, 2013.
