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Click here to subscribe**A GROUP OF THREE IRON KEYS:a folding key with elaborate bit, perhaps 18th century; a key with circular pierced bow and later shaft and bit, perhaps 17th century; and a key with pierced decorative bow and elaborate bit in late 17th century style(3)ProvenanceFirst key: Sumner Healey, New York, 27th December 1930Second key: St. Christopher`s Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, given to Higgins Armory Museum 9th April 1968JWHA Inv. Nos. 1358, 3449.b, 558
**MANNER OF SIR ANTHONY VAN DYCK (1599-1641), 18TH CENTURYA PORTRAIT OF A GENTLEMAN, SAID TO BE EDWARD SOMERSEToil on canvas laid down on board123 cm x 94.5; 48 1/2in x 37 1/2The body and pose of this portrait is derived from Van Dyck`s portrait of Count Hendrik van den Bergh (1573-1638) in the Prado in Madrid S.J. Barnes et al, 2004, p. 302, no.III.69, reproduced.ProvenanceVan Brink`s Broadway Art Galleries, New York, 18th January 1929, lot 455JWHA Inv. no. 6046
**A SWEPT-HILT RAPIER IN EARLY 17TH CENTURY STYLE, 19TH CENTURYwith late 16th/early 17th century blade, stamped `IHS` within a short fuller and with the letter `S` ahead on each face, rectangular ricasso, steel hilt of faceted bars interrupted by writhen central mouldings, including inner-and outer-guard each of three bars, knuckle-guard fluted pommel, and spirally carved wooden grip114.5 cm; 45 1/8 in bladeProvenanceParke-Bernet Galleries Inc., New York, 6th December 1951, lot 325JWHA Inv. No. 3281ExhibitedChildren`s Museum, Hartford, Connecticut, March-April 1976Lowe Museum, Miami, Florida, 1st December 1979-13 January 1980
**A COMPOSITE RAPIER, 18TH AND 19TH CENTURIESwithfullered blade stamped with `YnteDomine en PetaviAno 1720 no con FundanYnetexnuSolige` within a pair of fullers on each face, iron hilt of rounded bars, including a pair of straight quillons, knuckle-guardand trifurcated inner-guard, barrel-shaped pommel and wire bound grip with `Turk`s heads`97 cm; 38 1/4 in bladeProvenanceGeorge L. Maxwell, sold Anderson Galleries, New York, 30th November 1928, lot 123JWHA Inv. No. 637ExhibitedSchnectady Museum, New York, 4th June- 13th September 1979Lowe Museum, Miami, Florida, 1st December 1979-13 January 1980
**A COMPOSITE RAPIER, PARTLY 17TH CENTURYwith broad fullered blade cut-down from a two-hand sword, with traces of a cross and orb mark on one face and cut with three slender fullers, leather bound recessed ricasso, iron hilt of rounded bars with swollen central mouldings, including upper and lower ring-guard, a pair of horizontally recurvedquillons, large spherical pommel, and wire bound grip with `Turk`s heads`88.5 cm; 34 7/8 in bladeProvenanceJWHA Inv. No. 3846
**TWO ITALIAN RAPIERS WITH SO-CALLED `CRAB-CLAW` HILTS, SECOND QUARTER OF THE 17TH CENTURYthe first with shortened tapering rapier blade stamped `M*O*M*O*M*O*` within a short fuller on the respective faces, steel hilt comprising a pair of down-curved moulded quillons (one shortened) with a pair of matching lugs beneath, outer ring-guard en suite, curved triangular guard engraved with a bold lily, and later ovoid pommel (grip missing); the second with tapering blade of flattened hexagonal section, steel hilt similar to the preceding, including curved triangular outer guard (split) engraved with scrolling foliage, faceted ovoid pommel, and wooden grip with `Turk`s heads`the first: 73 cm; 28 3/4 in blade(2)ProvenanceThe first: GiuliaMorosini, sold American Art Association, New York, 10th-15th October 1932, part of lot 246The second: Angelo Peyron, Florence, Italy, sold Savoy Art & Auction Galleries, New York, 4th November 1954, lot 39JWHA Inv. Nos. 1806, 3059For related swords, including an example ascribed to the Medici armoury, see L. G. Boccia and E. T. Coelho 1975, nos. 588-590.
**THREE CONTINENTAL SMALL-SWORDS, MID-18TH AND 19TH CENTURIESthe first perhaps German, with tapering blade etched with scrolling foliage over the lower two thirds (worn), steel hilt including double shell-guard chiselled with scrolls, rococo shells and foliage in low relief against a punched gilt ground, globular quillon, knuckle-guard and near spherical pommel, and wooden grip with copper binding and `Turk`s heads`; the second for court dress, with petal shaped shell-guard set with faceted beads, and ovoid pommel (incomplete); and the third with slender blade, steel hilt comprising outer ring-guard swelling toward the centre, knuckle-guard, pommel and grip all decorated with a faceted patternthe first: 75 cm; 29 1/2 in blade(3)ProvenanceThe second: Louis Julian, Carcassone, France, 3rd June 1928JWHA Inv. No. 3503, 37.1
**A TRANSITIONAL RAPIER, LATE 17TH CENTURYwith tapering blade of flattened diamond section, stamped with a series of letters within a short fuller on each face (rubbed), steel hilt comprising chiselled dish-guard decorated with a radiating pattern of lines and a series of small eye lash marks on the outside, moulded quillon with button terminal, a pair of slender arms, knuckle-guard, and compressed pommel en suite with the guard, and wire-bound grip with `Turk`s head`s`88 cm; 34 3/4 in bladeProvenanceGiuliaMorosini, sold American Art Association, New York, 10th-15th October 1932, part of lot 244JWHA Inv. No. 1804.1
**A FRENCH SILVER-HILTED SMALL-SWORD, PARIS SMALL CHARGE MARK FOR 1768-74with slender blade of hollowtriangular section, etched with scrolls and foliage over the lower portion, silver hilt, cast, pierced and chased in low relief (loose), comprising double shell-guard decorated on eachside with a central oval filled by a classical urn, all on a pierced trellis ground of small flower heads, globular quillon, and knuckle guard en suite with the guard, quillon-block decorated with a bouquet of flowers and signed around the base (perhaps Michel Gerard), matching ovoid pommel, wooden grip, and retaining a small portion of silver wire binding and `Turk`s heads`82.5 cm; 32 1/2 in bladeProvenanceGeorge L. Maxwell, sold Anderson Galleries, New York, 30th November 1928, lot 134JWHA Inv. No. 640
**A HUNGARIAN MAGNATE`S SABRE, MID-19TH CENTURYwith curved fullered polished steel blade double-edged toward the point, gilt-brass hilt cast in low relief, comprising a pair of writhen quillons issuant from gaping masks and with flaming terminals, langets with the crowned Hungarian arms within a wreath, grip with a sun-in-splendour in the centre, and the pommel formed as a deity, in its fabric-covered wooden scabbard (worn), with gilt-brass mounts comprising locket, chape and two bands for suspension rings all decorated with scrolls, flowers and foliage, retaining traces of original enamelled decoration, and with an additional applied spray of foliage decorated en suite (chipped)82 cm; 32 1/4 in bladeProvenanceJWHA Inv. No. 3080
**A SO-CALLED HEADSMAN`S AXE, 19TH CENTURYwith heavy bearded head pierced at the base with three holes, tapering faceted socket stamped with a mark, a pair of tongs in a shield-shaped recess, on a wooden haft with rough hewn `aged` surface27.5 cm; 10 3/4 in headProvenanceWilliam Ockelford Oldman, London, 4th January 1929JWHA Inv. No. 578ExhibitedRensselaer County Jr. Museum, New York, 1 October 1974 - 5 September 1975Children`s Museum, Hartford, March - April 1976Beaumont Art Museum, Texas, 5th December 1977 - 23 January 1978Monmouth Museum, New Jersey, 27 February - 6 May 1978Schnectady Museum, New York, 4th June - 13 September 1979
**A MACE, 17TH CENTURY, EAST EUROPEAN OR OTTOMANwith cylindrical steel head fitted with six flat near rectangular flanges, domed finial, cylindrical socket (pitted), and later wooden haft61 cm; 24 in overallProvenanceDr. Bashford Dean, Riverdale, New York, 28th September 1929JWHA Inv. No. 904ExhibitedThe Children`s Museum, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts 19 June - 1 November 1947
**AN ITALIAN `LANGUE DE BOEUF`, 17TH CENTURYwith straight sided blade of flattened-diamond section, stamped `Fevre` on one side, sharply tapering towards the tip, tapering socket, on a wooden haft48.5 cm; 19 in headProvenanceWorcester Art Museum, Massachusetts 19th June 1947JWHA Inv. No. 2546.2Exhibited Children`s Museum, Hartford, March - April 1976 Beaumont Art Museum, Texas, 5th December 1977 - 23rd January 1978
**A GLAIVE IN THE STYLE OF THOSE CARRIED BY THE GUARD OF MAXIMILLIAN II, HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR AND AN ETCHED PARTISAN AFTER THOSE MADE FOR THE GUARD OF PARIS LODRON, PRINCE ARCHBISHOP OF SALZBURG (1619-53)with broad knife-like blade, etched against a stippled ground with the spurious date 1563, the Imperial arms, the collar of the golden fleece, mirror monogram `M`, the ragged staves of Burgundy and the fire steels of the Empire, tapering rectangular socket formed with a basal moulding, on its wooden haft (shortened); the second with broad fullered central blade and a pair of flat basal lugs, etched with the spurious date 1620 and the Archbishop`s arms on a ground of foliage, on a wooden haft (shortened)the first: 76 cm; 30 in head(2)ProvenanceThe first: GiuliaMorosini, sold American Art Association, New York, 10th-15th October 1932, lot 470The second: Ernst Schmidt, Munich, 9th November 1929JWHA Inv. Nos. 1779, 1051
**A NORTH GERMAN HALBERD, EARLY 17TH CENTURYwith long central spike of diamond section swelling at the base to a broad leaf-shape, pierced with a pair of quatrefoils beneath a pair of scrolls, s-shaped axe blade pierced with arrangements of hearts and slipped circles, rear fluke formed with a slender curved spike above and below, a pair of straps, on a wooden haft67.5 cm; 26 5/8 in headProvenanceGiuliaMorosini, sold American Art Association, New York, 10th-15th October 1932, lot 593JWHA Inv. No. 1794A halberd of related type, formerly in the arsenal of the Dukes of Brunswick and latterly in the Royal Hanoverian collection, was sold Sotheby`s Hanover, 5-15th October 2005, lot 258.
**A FRENCH OFFICER`S PARTISAN, EARLY 18TH CENTURYwith tapering central blade formed with a medial ridge, waisted at the base and formed with a pair of upturned lugs, a pronounced oval moulding on each side, etched with the crowned French Royal Arms and the crowned elaborately mirrored monogram `L` on the respective faces (worn), on a wooden haft40 cm; 15 3/4 in headProvenanceFenton & Sons Ltd, London, 27th April 1930JWHA Inv. No. 1162
**A COMPOSITE ETCHED NORTH ITALIAN CAP-A-PIE FIELD ARMOUR, CIRCA 1540comprising close helmet with one-piece skull rising to a high roped medial comb and fitted at the nape with a later plume-holder, visor, upper bevor and bevor attached by common pivots, in each case fitted beneath its head with a rosette washer (replaced), the visor, with stepped centrally-divided vision-slit, fitted at its right with a lifting-peg (replaced), the markedly prow-shaped upper bevor pierced at its right with nine circular ventilation-holes in rosette-formation and fitted with a swivel-hook (replaced) to secure it to a pierced stud projecting from the bevor, and two rounded gorget-plates front and rear (the articulation-points of the lowest rear one patched), collar (restored) of three lames front and rear (restored), rounded and medially-ridged breastplate formed of a main plate fitted at each side with a rigidly-riveted side-plate and a movable gusset, at the right of the chest with three holes of which two serve to attach a hinged lance-rest (associated), and flanged outwards at its lower edge to receive a fauld of two lames (associated), and a pair of long, pendent tassets (the right restored) each of seven lames, one-piece backplate flanged outwards at its lower edge to receive a culet of two lames (restored), large asymmetrical pauldrons each formed of six lames, the third of the left flanged upwards to form a high haute-piece (the first and fourth to sixth of the left and the second of the right restored, and the third to fourth of the latter associated), fully articulated vambraces each formed of a one-piece turner, a tubular upper cannon, a winged couter of four lames, and a tapering tubular lower cannon, the couter open at its rear and decorated medially with a roped transverse rib, left mitten gauntlet (modern) formed of a short rounded tubular cuff fitted with a separate inner plate, five metacarpal-plates, a knuckle-plate formed with a roped transverse rib, five finger-plates and a hinged thumb-defence of five scales, a pair of short gutter-shaped cuisses (the right restored) each of one plate boxed medially and at the outside, and fitted with a winged poleyn of five lames (those of the right restored), and a pair of ankle-length greaves each fitted at its outside with a hinged side-plate and open at its inside rear (the main plate of the right patched at it lower edge, and its side-plate restored), the main edges of the armour formed with boldly-roped inward turns bordered, except on the collar, the backplate and the gauntlet by bands of finely etched linear arabesque ornament involving at either side of the comb of the helmet and the top of the haute-piece of the left pauldron a cross within a circular cartouche, that of the helmet, the right pauldron, the second and third lames of the left pauldron, the left tasset, the left cuisse and left greave original, and the remainder restoredSee note at front of catalogue for information concerning stands ProvenanceWilliam Randolph Hearst, sold Parke-Bernet Galleries Inc., New York, 4th December 1952JWHA, Inv. No. 3017 a-pExhibitedG. R. Marshall & Co, Canada, 1954Worcester Pressed Steel Co., Worcester, Massachusetts, 1954John Woodman Higgins`s summer home, 1954, 1956, 1958 and 1959Pressed Metal Institute, 1955Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, 18-19 November 1954 and 17-18 November 1959Natwick Q M Corps, 20 November 1964-31 January 1966Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, 12-14 November 1966The helmet, the right pauldron, parts of the left pauldron, the left tasset, the left cuisse, the left greave and possibly the main plate of the breastplate form the remains of a finely decorated homogenous armour.The restoration of the armour was carried out in part by George Donaldson, armourer to William Randolph Hearst.The armour can be compared in style with the slightly later Italian armour of Cosimo de Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany (1519-73), in the Hofjagd-und Rüstkammer, Vienna, Inv. No. A 406 (Gamber & Beaufort 1990, p. 125, pl. 61)
**A COMPOSITE BLUED AND GILT WESTERN EUROPEAN CAP-A-PIE FIELD ARMOUR, CIRCA 1550-80, WITH LATER DECORATIONcomprising Italian close helmet with one-piece skull rising to a high roped medial comb and struck at the nape with a maker`s mark involving a monogram, visor, upper bevor and bevor attached to it by common pivots and secured in each case by a spring-catch (the visor restored, the upper bevor associated and the spring-catches and pivots replaced), the visor pierced beneath its stepped and centrally-divided vision-slit with fourteen circular ventilation holes and fitted at its right with a lifting-peg also serving as the release for its spring-catch (broken), the prow-shaped upper bevor pierced at its left and right sides respectively with thirteen and fourteen circular ventilation-holes in rosette formation, and two rounded gorget-plates front and rear (those at the rear associated, those at the front restored using old metal), German breastplate of `deep-bellied` fashion formed of a medially-ridged main plate fitted at its neck-opening with an integral collar of two lames (restored), at its stepped arm-openings with movable gusset (restored) in each case pierced with a pair of holes for the attachment of a besague, at the right of the chest with a rigid lance-rest (restored), and at its flanged lower edge (patched) with an integral fauld of three lames (restored) supporting long tassets each of seven lames (associated and in part modified to fit their present context), the lowest lame of the left tasset struck with the Vienna arsenal-mark and the fauld pierced with a hole to receive a one-piece-German codpiece (patched at its upper edge), backplate formed of a main plate fitted at its neck-opening with an integral collar of two lames (restored) and flanged outwards at its lower edge to receive a culet of three lames (restored, probably using old metal), two large asymmetrical German pauldrons (not a pair) each formed of six lames (several showing patching and plugging, and one removed from between the fourth and fifth of the right), a pair of fully articulated Italian vambraces each formed of a one-piece turner (the left with some plugged holes), a tubular upper cannon, a winged bracelet couter of three lames and a tapering tubular lower cannon opening at the rear, German mitten gauntlets each formed of a flared and obtusely-pointed one-piece cuff closed by a riveted join at the inside of the wrist, four metacarpal-plates, a knuckle-plate decorated with a roped transverse rib, four finger-plates and a hinged thumb-defence of four scales (the metacarpal-plates and the finger-plates associated and reworked to their present context, the knuckle plates-and thumb-defences restored), short cuisses each of four lames terminating in a winged poleyn of four lames (the left cuisse and the first three lames of its left poleyn restored), and a pair of full-length tubular greaves each formed of a separable front and rear half (the front of the right and the rear of the left restored) and furnished with an integral sabaton of four lames connected by strips of Oriental mail to rounded toe-caps (restored), the main edges of the armour formed with file-roped inward turns, the couters and poleyns each decorated on the points and wings respectively of their main plates with raised quatrefoils and confronted volutes (the quatrefoils of the couters and the volutes of the poleyns later), and the remainder of the armour decorated overall with recessed borders and vertical bands (the bands later except on the codpiece), all gilt on an overall heat-blued ground (the gilding and bluing later) See note at front of catalogue for information concerning stands ProvenanceDr. Bashford Dean, Riverdale, New York, sold Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, 26th October 1950, lot 110JWHA Inv. No. 2879.a-oExhibitedMetropolitan Museum of Art, New York, prior to 1950Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, 6 January-21 February 1966New England Museum of Science, Boston Massachusetts, 1-11 December 1966 Winterfest, Boston `Art of the Armorer`, Flint Institute of Art, Missouri, 1 December 1967-1 April 1968Worcester Pressed Steel Co., for New England Museum of Science, Boston, Massachusetts, 2-6 December 1968 Lowe Art Museum, Miami, Florida, 1 December 1979-13 January 1980`Road Warriors: Knight Riders`, Norton Museum of Art, , West Palm Beach, Florida, 24 June-4 September 2000LiteratureStephen V. Grancsay, The John Woodman Higgins Armory, Worcester, Massachusetts, 1961, p. 60 (ill.)The inside of the right greave inscribed `Toe-caps, waste [sic.] armor / parts of cuissards, 1 knee, 1 back / of lower leg modern. /Restored by R. Bartel 1916`. The rear of the lance-rest is similarly inscribed on its rear, `piece faite par / Julien Arrechea / 1916`.Raymond Bartel subsequently became armourer to William Randolph Hearst at St Donat`s Castle, Glamorganshire, Wales.The recessed vertical bands that decorate codpiece were clearly the inspiration for the embellishment of the remainder of the armour. The embossed volutes on the couters served as the inspiration for those of the cuisses, and the embossed quatrefoils of the cuisses, for those of the couters.
**A COMPOSITE NORTH EUROPEAN CAP-A-PIE CUIRASSIER`S ARMOUR, EARLY 17TH CENTURYcomprising close helmet with a rounded two-piece skull formed in two halves joined along a high medial comb, forward-sloping visor (restored) stepped beneath its paired vision-slits and fitted at its right with a short lifting-peg, prow-shaped upper bevor pierced at its left with nine circular ventilation-holes in rosette formation, bevor fitted at its right with a swivel-hook to secure the visor, and one-piece gorget-plates front and rear, each decorated at its centre with five rivets in cross-formation and trimmed at its upper edge to adapt it to its present context, collar of one lame front and rear, heavy one-piece breastplate of late `peascod` fashion struck at its right with the proof-mark of a bullet and flanged outwards at its lower edge to receive two long tassets (not a pair), the left and right respectively formed of fourteen lames and in each case terminating in a winged poleyn of five lames (the right associated and its lowest two lames restored) decorated at the point of the knee with an embossed hexafoil, heavy one-piece backplate en suite with the breastplate, two large symmetrical pauldrons (not a pair), each formed of eleven lames decorated at the front and rear of the sixth with later embossed hexafoils and connected by a turner and integral upper cannon to a winged couter and tubular lower cannon (in neither case a pair), two gauntlets (not a pair, the right later), each form of an elbow-length cuff with a separate inner plate, a wrist-plate, five metacarpal-plates and a shaped knuckle-plate, a pair of later demi-greaves each formed of ten plates (the lowest two cut and reworked from pieces of 17th century armour), and square-toed sabatons of nine lames each (cut and reworked from pieces of 17th century armour), the main edges of the armour formed with narrow inward turns, those of the helmet roped, and its subsidiary edges decorated with double or single incised lines (the armour heavily pitted overall, showing some cracks, patches, losses and disarticulation) See note at front of catalogue for information concerning stands ProvenanceThe Bradshaw family, Marple Hall, Cheshire, EnglandFenton & Sons Ltd, London, 23rd April 1930JWHA Inv. No. 1151.a-l
**A CUIRASSIER`S ARMOUR IN THE EARLY 17TH CENTURY GERMAN STYLEcomprising close helmet with rounded two-piece skull formed in two halves joined along a low medial comb and fitted at its nape with a plume-holder, two-piece peak (its left terminal restored) and bevor attached by common pivots and secured in each case by swivel-hooks (that at the left the neck missing), the underside of the peak fitted with a U-shaped face defence cut at the top with a pair of vision-slits and over the mouth with a lozenge-shaped ventilation-hole, the bevor pierced at each side with small circular ventilation-holes in a rosette formation, and a single gorget-plate front and rear, collar of two lames front and rear, heavy one-piece breastplate of the second half of the 17th century struck at the neck with the mark A(?)M , pierced around its edges with stitch-holes and flanged outwards at its slightly V-shaped lower edge to receive a fauld of one lame and a pair of long pendent tassets each of eight lames terminating in a poleyn of three lames, one-piece backplate flanged outwards at its lower edge to receive a culet of three lames, large symmetrical pauldrons each of seven lames connected by a turner to fully articulated vambraces formed of a tubular upper and lower cannon connected by a winged bracelet couter of three lames, and gauntlets each formed of an acutely-pointed one-piece cuff closed by a riveted join at the inside of the wrist, four metacarpal-plates, a shaped knuckle-plate, scaled finger-defences (the greater part of the fourth of the right missing) and a hinged and scaled thumb-defence (that of the left detached), the main edges of the armour formed with plain inward turns, and its surfaces decorated with bright bands and bright subsidiary edges against a black-painted groundSee note at front of catalogue for information concerning stands Provenance:Mrs Willis D. Wood, Long Island New York, given to the Higgins Museum 15th June 1968JWHA Inv. No. 3167ExhibitedOneida County Junior Museum, New York, 11 September-8 January 1968
**A COMB MORION WITH EMBOSSED DECORATION, 19TH CENTURY IN THE FRENCH OR FLEMISH STYLE OF ABOUT 1550-60with rounded one-piece crown rising to a high roped medial comb (perforated to the rear of its apex), and integral brim turned down at each side and rising to an acute point front and rear (the rear one chipped and the front one pierced with three later wiring-holes), the edge of the brim formed with a file-roped inward turn and the base of the crown encircled by fourteen holes for lining-rivets of which three are preserved, in one case fitted with its brass rosette-washer, the left and right sides of the crown of the helmet respectively embossed and chased in relief within borders of strapwork and grotesques with a representation of mounted classical warriors crossing a river leading to a landscape occupied by two fortresses in the background, and engaged in combat in that landscape, and the comb and brim with foliate strapwork occupied by classical busts, masks, grotesques and fabulous beasts19.5 cm; 7¾ inProvenanceEdwin J. Brett, Thanet and London, sold Christie`s, London, 22nd March 1895, lot 689Samuel J. Whawell, LondonSumner Healey, New York, 24th February 1932JWHA Inv. No. 1717Exhibited`Medieval and Renaissance Splendor`, Ringling Museum, Sarasota, Florida, and other venues, 9 February 1984-1 November 1985LiteratureEdwin J. Brett, Pictorial and Descriptive Record of…Arms and Armour…Drawn from the Author`s Collection, London, 1984, pl. LI, 3
**A FINELY ETCHED NORTH ITALIAN CLOSE HELMET FOR THE FOOT TOURNEY, MILANESE, CIRCA 1590with rounded one-piece skull rising to a low medial comb, and visor, prow-shaped upper bevor and bevor (the first two restored) attached to it by dome-headed common pivots (replaced), the visor formed with a stepped and centrally-divided vision-slit and fitted at its right side with a projecting lifting-peg, the bevor pierced at the right of the chin with a large hole to receive a locking-screw that projected from the original upper bevor, the skull and bevor fastened to one another at the right of the neck by a pierced hasp and turning-pin, and formed at their lower edges with internally hollowed rims intended to lock over and rotate on the upper edge of a collar, the armour finely etched overall with alternating bands of strapwork and trophies in each case set on a stippled ground respectively gilt and blackened (the gilding only preserved as traces), and separated by plain narrow triple bands26.5 cm; 10¼ inProvenanceDr. Bashford Dean, Riverdale, New York, sold American Art Association, New York, 23rd November 1928JWHA Inv. No. 890Exhibited`Faerie Tale Festival of Trees`, Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, 19 November-31 December 2005The decoration of the helmet is of a style employed by the distinguished late 16th century armourer Pompeo della Chiesa (recorded 1571-93) who had his workshop in the Castello Sforzesco, Milan (Norman 1986, p. 31).His signature occurs on similarly decorated armours in the collections of the Earls of Pembroke at Wilton House, Wiltshire, the Museo Stibbert, Florence, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Armoury of the Knights of St John at Malta, the helmet of which is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The design was also employed by several of Pompeo`s Milanese contemporaries, including one who signed himself with the initials IFP on an armour in the Art Institute, Chicago, one who signed himself with a triple-towered castle on pieces in the same collection and an armour formerly in the collection of the Earl of Harrington, one who signed himself with a double-towered castle on an armour in the Museo Civico L. Marzoli, and several detached pieces in thee Wallace Collection, London. (For a fuller discussion of these armours, supported by published references, see Thomas Del Mar Ltd in association with Sotheby`s, Antique Arms, Armour & Militaria, London 26 June 2007, lot 263)
**A SOUTH GERMAN CLOSE HELMET, CIRCA 1530, WITH LATER GROTESQUE VISORwith rounded one-piece skull rising to a low, boldly roped comb, fitted at its rear with two broad neck-lames and at each side, by means of replaced common pivots, with a grotesque visor and bevor in each case secured at the right by a spring-catch, the visor embossed in high relief with eyes, a hooked nose, projecting moustache and mouth caricaturing a Turkish warrior, the moustache emphasised by engraved hairs and the eyes set beneath the stepped and roped vision-slits forming the warrior`s eyebrows, and the bevor flanged outwards at its lower edge to form a neck-guard30 cm; 10¾ inProvenanceGimbel Bothers, New York, 4th December 1942JWHA Inv. No. 2702.1ExhibitedSonya Hemlin, WGBH Television, Boston, 10-12 January 1968Lowe Museum, Miami, Florida, 1 December 1979-13 January 1980
**A CLOSE HELMET, 19TH CENTURY IN THE SOUTH GERMAN STYLE OF ABOUT 1510with rounded one-piece skull formed with a low medial keel made up of three near contiguous ridges each enclosed by a pair of incised lines and decorated, in the case of the central one, with file-roping, the nape fitted with an inverted L-shaped bracket pierce at its distal end with a circular hole, and visor and bevor attached to the skull by common pivots with slotted and radially incised heads, both the visor and bevor secured at their right sides by a pierced stud and swivel-hook, the hook of the visor issuing from a moulded lifting-peg and its stud forming part of a spring-catch, the blunt `sparrows-beak` visor with lobated rear terminals and three rows of circular and rectangular ventilation-holes, decorated in low relief on the upper surface of its `beak`, just below its stepped vision-slits, with stylised eyes, nose and mouth, at its upper edge with `Wolf`s tooth" ornament, and at its lower edge with scalloping and punched trios of dots, the bevor fitted at the chin with a transversely-pierced staple, perhaps for the attachment of a reinforce, and pierced over each ear with five holes in a cross-formation, and the skull and bevor each formed at its lower edge with an inward-directed and file-roped flange designed to lock over and rotate on the upper edge of the collar 24.5 cm; 9¾ inProvenanceAmerican Art Association, Anderson Galleries, New York, 10th-12th December 1936, lot 424JWHA Inv. No. 2429Similar helmets, in some cases of a size for a boy, and possibly made in Munich in the late 19th century, were to be found in the collections of Edwin J. Brett [Brett 1984, pl. XLVII,4] sold Christie`s, March 1985; Consul Leiden collection sold Cologne, 19-21 June 1924, lot 109; Carl Otto von Kienbusch [Kienbusch 1963, pl. 67], now Philadelphia Museum of Art; and Sir Edward Barry sold Sotheby`s 5th July 1965, lot 97)
**AN ENGLISH FUNERARY HELMET, LATE 17TH CENTURY, INCORPORATING EARLIER ELEMENTSwith rounded two-piece skull rising to a low medial comb, separate nape-plate, fixed peak from a mid-17th century harquebusier`s pot, bevor and deep one-piece gorget plates front and rear, the latter originally forming an early 17th century pikeman`s collar and formed at its main edges with plain inward turns accompanied in the case of the lower of them by a recessed border, the peak and bevor connected by five vertical bars forming a prognathous face-guard, and the skull fitted at its apex with a pair of rivets formerly serving to retain a spike for the attachment an heraldic crest (heavily pitted and painted black overall; the gorget-plates and the centre of the peak showing rust-perforations)37 cm; 14½ inProvenanceHenry Griffiths Keasby, sold American Art Association, New York, 5th-6th December 1924, lot 119Sumner Healey, New York, 30th April 1929JWHA Inv. No. 574
**AN ENGLISH FUNERARY CLOSE HELMET, LATE 17TH CENTURY, INCORPORATING EARLIER ELEMENTSwith rounded two-piece skull joined medially by an overlapped and riveted join, fitted at its apex with a distally-pierced vertical rod for the attachment of an heraldic crest, at its rear with a separate nape-plate, and at its front with a visor, upper bevor and bevor attached by common pivots, the forward-projecting visor pierced with a pair of vision-slits and the upper bevor pierced at each side with nine circular ventilation-holes in rosette formation, and deep one-piece gorget-plates front and rear originally forming an early 17th century pikeman`s collar, the rear one possibly of early 17th century Greenwich make and decorated with cascaded bands and borders occupied by decorative round-headed rivets, and the rear one later decorated en suite with it (the helmet pitted and blackened overall, the left of the crown, the centre of the bevor and the right of the rear gorget-plate repaired with internal patches) 59 cm; 23¼ inProvenanceAnderson Galleries Inc., New York, 13th December 1931, lot 127JWHA Inv. No. 194
**AN ENGLISH OR FLEMISH CLOSE HELMET, MID-16TH CENTURY, CONVERTED TO FUNERARY USE IN ENGLAND IN THE 17TH CENTURYwith one-piece skull rising to a high roped medial comb, fitted at its apex with a distally-pierced vertical rod for the attachment of an heraldic crest, and at its front with a pivoted bevor contemporarily patched at its upper rear corners and fitted with a pivoted, forward-sloping visor pierced with a single broad, stepped and roped vision-slit, and deep one-piece gorget-plates front and rear, originally constituting an early 17th century pikeman`s collar and each formed at its lower edge with a plain inward-turn accompanied by a recessed borders (the helmet heavily pitted and blackened overall, and showing large rust-perforations at the left of the skull and the right of the bevor) 43.5 cm; 17¼ inProvenanceCyril Andrade Ltd, LondonSumner Healey, New York, 30th April 1929, no. 1JWHA Inv. No. 575
**AN ELECTROTYPE COPY OF AN ITALIAN BURGONET WITH EMBOSSED AND CHASED DECORATION, THE ORIGINAL MILANESE, CIRCA 1560-5of one-piece construction rising to a high medial comb, projecting forward and backwards respectively as an obtusely pointed peak and a matching neck-guard, the latter stuck at its left side with an indistinct inscription surrounding the crowned Wittelsbach arms, and cut out between them to receive missing cheek-pieces, the left and right of the crown respectively decorated with scenes depicting the Raising of Helen and the Judgement of Paris, the comb with trophies of arms, and the edges of the peak and neck-guard with scrolls28.5 cm; 11¼ inProvenanceWürtembergische Metalwarenfabrik, Geislingen, No. 8329, 20th May 1930JWHA Inv. No. 1082The helmet is copied from that of an original preserved in the Deutsches Historisches Museum, Berlin, Inv. No. W 1004-5.Its decoration is taken from the engravings of Jean Mignon (active at Fontainebleau between 1537 and 1547 to circa 1556), after Luca Penni (1500-1556). See J.A. Godoy & S. Leydi, 2003, pp. 154-5 & 435-7, figs 16-19.
**AN ENGLISH SHOT-PROOF STEEL TARGET OF NOTABLE WEIGHT, 17TH CENTURYof convex oval form, fitted at its centre with a low rosette-shaped boss and pierced at its upper end, just below the proof-mark of a bullet, with a flanged horizontal vision-slit, the flanged edge of the target turned outwards at its upper end to form a loop, cut with a horizontal slot at it right side and notched at its lower end, its rear fitted with a quilted lining of buff-leather and the remains of a pair of enarmes59.5 cm; 23½ in highProvenanceSir Samuel Rush Meyrick, Goodrich Court, HerefordshireLeonard Brassey, Apethorpe Hall, Northamptonshire, sold Christie`s, 21st February 1923, lot 152, purchased by Dr Bashford Dean acting on behalf of Clarence Mackay of Long Island, New York (Cat. No. C-32)William Randolph Hearst, sold Gimbel Brothers, New York, 31st October 1941JWHA Inv. No. 2668LiteratureSir Samuel Rush Meyrick & Joseph Skelton, Engraved Illustrations of Ancient Arms and Armour from the Collection at Goodrich Court, Herefordshire, Vol. I, London, 1830, pl. LXV, 1J. R. Planché, Catalogue of the Armour and Miscellaneous Objects of Art Known as the Meyrick Collection…exhibited at the South Kensington Museum, London, 1869, Cat. No. 866ExhibitedSouth Kensington Museum (now the Victoria & Albert Museum), London, 1869-71The shield can be compared with one from the armoury of the Earls of Warwick at Warwick Castle (Francis Grose, Military Antiquities respecting a History of the English Army from the Conquest to the Present Time, Vol. II, London, 1812, p. 358, plate 48) sold in these rooms on 25 June 2008, lot 345. Its weight suggests that it was intended for siege use.
**AN ENGLISH ELECTROTYPE COPY OF A PARADE SHIELD BY M. MOREL-LADEUIL, LATE 19TH CENTURY IN THE FRENCH OR FLEMISH STYLE OF CIRCA 1560of slightly convex oval form, composed of several separate panels of copper, in some cases silvered, joined by screws with star-shaped heads, decorated overall with embossed and chased ornament involving in the central panel the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, and elsewhere, within a pattern of foliate strapwork, with God, St Michael vanquishing the Devil, the Fall of the Angels and other religious subjects, incised at it lower right border with the signature `M. Morel-Ladeuil`, and struck within its upper edge with the characters `L.1287` and four goldsmith`s marks, just above the seal of Elkington & Co Ltd of Birmingham involving at its centre the cipher of Queen Victoria 86 cm; 33¾ in diameterProvenanceAnderson Galleries Inc., New York, 11th February 1928, lot 214JWHA Inv. No. 436ExhibitedHoly Cross College, Worcester, Massachusetts, 27-8 September 1968The shield relates to a well-known group of armours and elements of them referred to the so-called `Louvre School`. G.F. Laking 1920-2, Vol. 4, figs 1321-4; and B. Thomas, 1973, figs 4-9
**A STEEL TARGET WITH EMBOSSED AND COPPER-DAMASCENED DECORATION, 19TH CENTURY IN THE ITALIAN STYLE OF THE 16TH CENTURY of angular comma-shaped outline, fitted around it edges with applied strips of steel retained by rivets with prominent pyramid-shaped heads, and to either side with a pair of large round-headed screws retaining, at the rear, the fragmentary remains of leather enarmes, the front decorated at its centre with a trapezoidal panel occupied by four copper-damascened fleur-de-lis, and enclosed to the top, sides and bottom, respectively, by a dog`s head, a pair of wings and a ladder, the last forming the device of the Italian hero Can Grande della Scala, and in each case embossed and chased in high relief on a diaper pattern of copper-damascened quatrefoils, and the lower end decorated with a copper-damascened coronet on a pointillé ground (some light patination and wear throughout) 75.5 cm; 29¾ in diameterProvenanceGiulia Morosini, sold by the American Art Association, New York, 10th-15th October 1932, lot 181JWHA Inv. No. 1875ExhibitedHoly Cross College, Worcester, Massachusetts, 26-29 September1975Beaumont Museum, Beaumont, Texas, 5 December, 5 December 1977-23 January 1978Monmouth Museum, Monmouth, New Jersey, 27 February-6 May 1978Schenectady Museum, Schenectady, New York, 4 June 13 September 1979
**A EUROPEAN PARTIAL BACKPLATE AND CULET OF A CUIRASSIER`S ARMOUR, EARLY 17TH CENTURYthe backplate, now comprising only its lower end, pierced with later rivet-holes at its upper edge and flanged outwards at its lower edge to receive an associated culet of five lames (partly disarticulated) attached by keyhole slots engaging, at its left and right ends respectively, a mushroom-headed stud and a turning-pin, and flaring to its lower end, the first lame of the culet boxed and the remainder formed in two medially-riveted halves, the main edges of both elements formed with plain inward turns, the backplate decorated at its centre with a pair of diverging incised lines, and the culet with single incised lines and patterns of round-headed brass rivets35 cm; 13¾ inProvenanceJWHA Inv. Nos. 1991.a & b
**A PAIR OF DUTCH CUIRASSIER`S TASSETS OF NOTABLE SIZE, CIRCA 1610-20each formed of twenty upward-overlapping lames divisible between the tenth and eleventh, and terminating in a winged poleyn of five lames, originally detachable, the uppermost lame of each tasset fitted at its outer end with a later buckle, and the eleventh pierced with a pair of lace-holes, the main edges of the cuisses and their poleyns formed with finely file-roped inward turns, bordered in the case of the uppermost lame of the cuisse with a matching roped rib, and their subsidiary edges bordered by pairs of incised lines (lightly patinated overall with some small patches of active corrosion)75 cm; 29 ½ in (2)ProvenanceCyril Andrade Ltd, London, No. 398, 16th May 1930JWHA Inv. Nos. 1145.a-d
**AN ITALIAN RIGHT CUIRASSIER`S TASSET WITH BLUED AND GILT DECORATION, CIRCA 1610-20formed of sixteen upward-overlapping lames divisible between the ninth and tenth, and terminating in a winged poleyn of five lames, the boxed first lame of the tasset pierced at its inner and outer ends respectively with a transverse keyhole-slot and a smaller rectangular slot, the latter accompanied by a swivel-hook (replaced),the main edges of both the tassets and poleyns formed with plain inward turns, and the subsidiary edges, with a series of five low cusps, in each case bordered by a trio of incised lines repeated as patterns of saltires and chevrons on the poleyn, the decoration gilt throughout on a blued ground and the points of the cusps enlivened by gilt brass-capped round-headed rivets (pitted and worn throughout, and showing some patching, bruising and disarticulation; the fourteenth lame fitted at its rear with a later welded strip)61 cm; 24 in ProvenanceDr. Bashford Dean, Riverdale, New York, 28th September 1929JWHA Inv. Nos. 927.4.a & b
**A COMPOSITE ITALIAN OR FLEMISH RIGHT PAULDRON AND VAMBRACE, MID-16TH TO EARLY 17TH CENTURIES: A COMPOSITE ITALIAN LEFT PAULDRON AND VAMBRACE, LATE 16TH TO EARLY 17TH CENTURIES AND A COMPOSITE DUTCH RIGHT CUIRASSIER`S PAULDRON, EARLY 17TH CENTURYthe first comprising a large pauldron of six lames cut away at the armpit and connected by a turner (restored) to a fully articulated tubular vambrace with a winged bracelet couter of three lames, the main edges of the pauldron formed with roped inward turns and those of the vambrace with plain inward turns bordered by single incised lines (patinated overall); the second comprising a large pauldron of seven lames (the lowest four restored) connected by a turner to a three-piece tubular vambrace with a one-piece bracelet couter (holed at its upper edge) connected to the cannons above and below it by internal leathers, the main edges of both elements formed with roped inward turns (the roping of the upper cannon and couter later, the whole patinated overall); and the third of large angular outline, formed of nine lames, the uppermost of which is fitted beneath a rectangular slot with a buckle for a suspension-strap, and the lowest with a turner, its main edges formed with plain inward turns, its subsidiary edges bordered by single incised lines and its surfaces variously decorated with patterns of brass-capped round-headed rivets (patinated throughout and extensively repaired with internal patches)The first: 60 cm; 23½ in(3)ProvenanceJWHA Inv. Nos. 55.a, 55.b & 9.
**A NORTH ITALIAN BREASTPLATE, CIRCA 1560, LATER CUT DOWN TO FORM A REINFORCE; THE PEAK OF AN ENGLISH HARQUEBUSIER`S POT, MID-17TH CENTURY; AND TWENTY-NINE FURTHER PIECES OF ARMOUR, MID-16TH TO EARLY 17TH CENTURYthe first of one piece protecting the left of the chest only, its right side pierced with two rectangular holes to fit over staples, its upper edge formed with a file-roped inward turn bordered by a pair of divergent roped ribs, and its arm-opening and lower edge bordered by a pair of incised lines (heavily pitted and pierced with two small rust perforations); the second struck at the centre of its obtusely-pointed front edge with an indistinct mark probably representing the crowned IR government-ownership mark of the time of King James II, and pierced just in front of the brow with three holes for the attachment of a missing triple-barred face-guard, its surface blackened; and the third, including four gussets, three turners and parts of two collars (some pitted or patinated) (31)ProvenanceJWHA Inv. Nos. 928.3, 3037, 927.67, 1256.1, 929.60, 828.81, 1256.2, 1256.3, 1256.4, 1256.5,929.57, 928.55,928.46, 928.48, 927.63, 927.54, 927.70, 929.36, 3084.30, 928.53.a-c, 927.27, 927.45, 929.40, 929.41, 929.38, 828.122, 929.54, 929.76 & 928.50.a-c
**THE REAR OF A NORTH EUROPEAN PIKEMAN`S COLLAR WITH PUNCHED DECORATION, CIRCA 1620-30; THE RIGHT CHEEK-PIECE OF A EUROPEAN BURGONET, LATE 16TH CENTURY; TWO LAMES OF A GERMAN RIGHT SPAUDLER OF AN `ALMAIN` COLLAR, EARLY 17TH CENTURY; AND TWENTY-ONE FURTHER PIECES OF ARMOUR, 16TH, 17TH AND 19TH CENTURIESthe first formed in one piece with plain inward turns at its main edges accompanied in the case of the lower one by a recessed border, and in both cases by round-headed lining-rivets (one at the neck missing) enclosed by a repeated chevron-and-bead design formed of punched lines, circles and dots (pitted and worn ); the second formed in one piece projecting forward and downward to the chin, fitted at its upper rear corner with a hinge to attach it to a skull, and formed at its main edges with file-roped inward turns accompanied at the front by a recessed border (bruised at its centre and showing a mottled patina overall); the third decorated on an overall blackened ground with a medial band of punched and silvered running foliage; and the fourth including numerous fauld-lames and elements of vambraces (in some cases pitted, patinated or later altered) (24)ProvenanceJWHA Inv. Nos. 819,828.21, 828.79, 828.74, 828.63, 1122, 828.93.a & b, 828.129, 828.130, 828.94, 828.95, 828.109, 828.109, 828.77, 828.106, 828.107, 828.111.a & b, 828.75, 828.101, 929.59, 828.120 & 828.23
**THE VISOR OF A EUROPEAN CUIRASSIER`S CLOSE HELMET, EARLY 17TH CENTURY; A BESAGUE, 19TH CENTURY IN THE GERMAN MID-16TH CENTURY STYLE; AND THIRTY-NINE FURTHER PIECES OF ARMOUR, PARTLY LATE 16TH TO EARLY 17TH CENTURIES, BUT MAINLY 19TH TO EARLY 20TH CENTURYthe first formed in one piece pierced at its upper end with a pair of rectangular vision-slits (later enlarged) possessing flange-like roped outward turns at their lower edges, at its lower end with a rectangular ventilation-slot for the mouth and at each side with eight further circular ventilation-holes in rosette-formation (its right arm restored, the centre of its lower edge patched, and its surface lightly patinated overall); the second of flat circular form rising to a conical boss, pierced above it with a large suspension-hole and formed at its edge with a roped inward turn border by a raised rib roped en suite with it, and the third including parts of vambraces, faulds and culets and a pair of lightly etched gauntlets (variously pitted and patinated, and in some cases damaged, altered or unfinished) (41)ProvenanceJWHA Inv. Nos.29621.8, 1445, 928.44, 828.48, 828.88, 828.76, 828.69, 828.65.a & b, 828.64, 828.99, 828.46,3084.29.b, 828.43, 229a & b, 828.82, 929.35, 1122.2, 1122.3, 929.3.a & b, 828.25, 828.26, 828.29, 3084.12, 929.13, 929.50, 828.58, 927.49, 828.31, 927.29, 927.50, 927.65, 927.66, 929.22.a & b, 927.83, 3127.6a & b & 828.24
**A FINE MODEL ARMOUR BY E. GRANGER, PARIS, CIRCA 1850, IN THE GERMAN STYLE OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE 16TH CENTURYcomprising burgonet with high-combed skull, fixed peak, fixed peak and neck-guard and hinged cheek-pieces, collar of two lames front and rear, one-piece breastplate of `peascod` fashion fitted at its lower edge with a fauld of two lames carrying at its centre a hinged codpiece and, at each side, a long tasset of six lames articulated by a winged poleyn of three lames to a full-length tubular greave with integral broad-toed sabaton of nine lames, one-piece backplate with fixed culet of one lame, large symmetrical pauldrons each of six lames fitted at its apex with an upstanding haute-piece and connected at its lower end, via a turner, to a tubular vambrace with a winged bracelet couter of three lames, and fingered gauntlets (the fourth finger-defence of the left detached and the end of the thumb-defence missing), each with flared and pointed cuff, decorated throughout with copper rivets and rosette-washers, and mounted on an articulated mannequin with bronze head, clothed in buff leather (small split at inside of right thigh) and a dagged skirt of mail, and accompanied by a sword with straight quillons and an oval side-ring, contained in a red leather scabbard with chape and locket of iron32.5 cm; 12¾ in (with mounting-screws projecting from feet)ProvenanceJWHA Inv. No. 3845The maker of this armour, E. Granger of 70 Rue de Bondy (now Rue René Boulanger) Paris, exhibited models of this type as early as 1844 in the Exposition des Produits de L`Industrie Française, Paris. He later showed his work, as part of the firm of Granger-Leblanc, at the London International Exhibition on Art and Industry and Art held in the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society, South Kensington, in 1862. Granger also made full-sized armours for some of Madam Tussaud`s waxwork figures and for stage use by the Paris Opéra, and was further listed as a maker of gilt jewellery, bronzes and occult objects.
**A FINE MODEL HARQUEBUSIER`S ARMOUR, 19TH CENTURY IN THE POLISH STYLE OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE 17TH CENTURYcomprising Zischägge with hemispherical skull decorated with thirty-two flutes radiating and spiralling from a central rosette washer of brass, and fitted at the brow with a broad obtusely-pointed peak pierced at its centre rear with a rectangular slot to receive a missing sliding nasal-bar originally retained by a brass staple riveted just above it, and at the nape with a broad obtusely-pointed neck-guard of five lames, and a cuirass with one-piece breastplate and backplate, each flanged outwards at the waist and fitted to either side of the chest in the case of the former with a stud to receive the shoulder-straps of the backplate, the main edges of the armour, except at the waist, formed with plain inward turns bordered on the cuirass by raised ribs (3)ProvenanceGiulia Morosini, sold American Art Association, New York, 10th-15th October 1932, part of lot 420JWHA Inv. No. 1775, 1774.1 & 1774.2
**A FINE SILVER-MOUNTED CENTRAL AMERICAN KNIFE OF PRESENTATION QUALITY, CIRCA 1865-86with tapering blade double-edged for its upper half, inscribed `Por Rufino Flamenco En Sn Salvador` on the back-edge, chiselled with elaborate scrolls of foliage within a recessed panel on each face and set with two gilt plaques, one inscribed `JMM` (small areas of light staining, chiselled metal ferrule decorated with animals including hounds, a squirrel and a horse, two-stage faceted silver grip, finely chased with alternating panels of scrolling foliage and conventional flowers, in its silver scabbard, finely chased with bold scrolls of foliage and differing flowers inhabited by birds and a hound, one side with a rondel filled with the arms of Columbia enclosed by the inscription `Bogota Estados Unidos de Columbia`, and on the other with two rondels, one with the American eagle charged with a shield and the inscription `United States of America` and the other with the arms of El Salvador and the abbreviated inscriptions for Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras, the outer face with belt hook chased en suite, and remaining in fine condition throughout37.8cm; 14 7/8in overallThe initials on the blade are almost certainly those of José Maria Medina, president of Honduras for eleven terms during the period 1863-76. El Salvador only supported Medina during his first period as president. In 1865 Honduras and El Salvador signed the Tratado de Defensa Centroamericana which included a defence agreement between Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras. It is likely that the knife was intended for presentation at this time, though for reasons now obscured, this never happened which would explain the absence of further initials on the reverse gold escutcheon. Medina was clearly held in high regard by his contemporaries, a letter dated 1st June 1864 to him from William H. Seward on behalf of President Abraham Lincoln records the good relations that Medina strived to maintain between the United States and Honduras, and their desire to maintain this for the foreseeable future. However, Medina`s fortune was not to last, he was ousted from power in 1872 and executed by firing squad four years later.
**A RARE PAIR OF MEXICAN STIRRUPS OF SO-CALLED `CONQUISTADOR` STIRRUPS, 17TH CENTURY/EARLY 18TH CENTURYof characteristic T-shaped form, decorated throughout with pierced chiselled panels of trellis pattern enclosing rococo flower and scroll medallions, the treads formed with long tapering panels each pierced and chiselled en suite, decorated at the base with a panel each chiselled in low relief with a rococo flower, fitted on the inside with a small pierced panel decorated with a pair of scrolls at the base and a lion like beast above (one inner panel chipped), the upper wings fitted with a fluted silver button at each corner, and integral loops for suspension 45 cm; 17 3/4 in(2)Provenance Theodore Offerman, sold American Art Association, Anderson Galleries, New York, 5th February 1938, lot 128JWHA Inv. No. 1410Exhibited`Made of Iron`, University of St Thomas Museum, Houston, Texas, September-December 1966Beaumont Art Museum, Texas, 5th December 1977-23rd January 1978Monmouth Museum, New Jersey, 27th February-6th May 1978Lowe Art Museum, Miami, Florida, December 1979-13th January 1985`Saddle up` National Ornamental Metal Museum, Memphis, Tennessee, 4th January-7th April 1985LiteratureStephen V. Grancsay (ed.)1966, Made of Iron, University of St Thomas Museum, Houston, Texas, September-December 1966, cat. No. 391 A pair of very similar stirrups are preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, inv. no. 08.56.11.For a discussion of this group of stirrup see S. V. Grancsay 1986, pp. 207-209.
**A BRITISH COMPOSITE OFFICER`S SWORD; AN 1853 PATTERN CAVALRY TROOPER`S SWORD AND AN 1885 PATTERN CAVALRY TROOPER`S SWORDthe first with etched regulation Naval blade based on the 1845 pattern, steel triple-bar hilt, and wire-bound fishskin-covered grip; the second of regulation type, in its scabbard; and the third of regulation type, stamped with War department and inspector`s marks at the forte, in its scabbardthe first: 69 cm; 27 1/8 in blade(3)ProvenanceThe second and third: Milton R. Macintosh, Rhode Island, acquired December 1970, nos. 6, 10JWHA Inv. Nos. 2068, 3611, 3582
**AN OFFICER`S SWORD, PROBABLY BRITISH EARLY 19TH CENTURY; A BRITISH LIFE-GUARD OFFICER`S SWORD, SECOND QUARTER OF THE 19TH CENTURY; A BRITISH 1897 GEORGE V INFANTRY OFFICER`S SWIRD; AND AN OFFICER`S SPADROON, EARLY 19TH CENTURYthe first with curved fullered single-edged blade etched and gilt with foliage and trophies on a blued panel at the base (worn), brass stirrup hilt (restored), and horn grip; the second with associated blade of regulation type, gilt-brass hilt including boatshell guard engraved with an expanded flowerhead in the centre and a border of foliage on the inside, the outer face reinforced with a steel and, engraved pommel, and wire-bound grip, with scabbard (incomplete, now in two pieces); the third with etched blade, plated hilt, in its leather field service scabbard; and the fourth with earlier fullered blade struck with a mark (probably the running fox of Shotley Bridge), brass hilt and fluted hardwood gripthe first:75.5 cm; 25 3/4 in blade(4)ProvenanceThe third: Milton R. Macintosh, Rhode Island, acquired December 1970, no. 18JWHA Inv. Nos. 3501, 3278, 3598
**A POST 1902 NAVAL OFFICER`S SWORD BY S.W.SILVER & CO., CORNHILL, LONDONof regulation type, with etched blade (areas of pitting), gilt-brass hilt, bullion sword knot, in its brass-mounted leather regulation scabbard79.5 cm; 31 3/8 in bladeProvenanceMilton R. Macintosh, Rhode Island, acquired December 1970, no. 7JWHA Inv. No. 3571
**TWO FRENCH MODEL 1822 LINE CAVALRY TROOPERS SABRESthe first of regulation type, inscribed `Coulaux Aîné` and with Klingenthal Royal arsenal inscription on the back-edge, stamped with inspector`s marks at the forte, in its steel scabbard; and the second similar (scabbard missing)97.5 cm; 38 3/8 in blades(2)ProvenanceGiulia Morosini, sold American Art Association, New York, 10th-15th October 1932, part of lots 120, 125JWHA Inv. No. 1852, 1858
**TWO FRENCH OFFICER`S SWORDS, CIRCA 1790with curved single-edged blades cut with a long fuller on each face, brass stirrup hilts cut with a notched pattern on the langets and the cross-guards, five-ball knuckle-guards, scaly back-straps rising to a plumed helmet forming the pommels, and wire-bound leather-covered grips, each in its brass-mounted leather scabbard (worn, one chape missing)77.5 cm; 30 1/2 in blades(2)ProvenanceThe Armoury of Archduke Eugen, Fortress Hohenwerfen, Salzburg, Austria, sold Anderson Galleries, New York, 1st - 5th March 1927, part of lot 5JWHA Inv. Nos. 267, 268
**TWO FRENCH OFFICER`S SWORDS, LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURYthe first with earlier curved blade formed with a hatchet point, cut with a pair of long slender fullers and stamped with a series of indistinct marks on each face, regulation brass hilt, comprising down-turned quillon chiselled with foliage, quillon-block cast with trophies-of-arms in low relief, eagle head pommel engulfed with a ring forming the upper part of the knuckle-guard, and wire-bound leather-covered grip; the second with curved blade cut with a long broad fuller on each face, brass hilt including down-turned quillon and lion head pommelthe first: 80.5 cm; 31 3/4 in blade(2)ProvenanceThe Armoury of Archduke Eugen, Fortress Hohenwerfen, Salzburg, Austria, sold Anderson Galleries, New York, 1st - 5th March 1927, part of lot 5The second: Milton R. Macintosh, Rhode Island, acquired December 1970, no. 13JWHA Inv. Nos. 264, 3619
**A FRENCH OFFICER`S EPEE, FIRST EMPIREwith slender blade of flattened-hexagonal section, etched and gilt with scrolls of foliage on a blued panel over the lower portion of the blade, gilt-brass hilt cast and chased in low relief, comprising down-turned shell-guard decorated with an elaborate scalloped pattern, knuckle-guard with a central lion mask moulding (quillon chipped), pommel incorporating crested classical mask, and fluted grip-scales, in a gilt-brass U.S. scabbard, engraved with bold sprays of foliage and the American eagle and a shield charged with twenty one stars80.5 cm; 31 3/4 in bladeProvenanceJWHA Inv. No. 126
**A FRENCH MODEL 1854 OFFICER`S SWORD FOR A MEMBER OF THE CENT GARDES AND A FRENCH NAVAL ACADEMY OFFICER`S SWORD the first of regulation type, with straight fullered blade brass hilt stamped with the maker`s name on the underside, cast with laurel foliage in low relief, including four outer bars carrying a rondel filled with the Imperial arms on a white metal star, and banded horn grip in its steel scabbard; the second of regulation type, the blade with Klingenthal arsenal inscription, brass hilt, horn grip, in its scabbard (now in two pieces)the first: 95 cm; 37 1/2 in blade(2)ProvenanceThe first: Irene Garson Strauss, Brookline, Massachusetts, 13th September 1951The second: James P. Silo, New York, 13th February 1929, lot 15JWHA Inv. No. 2914, 258The Cent-Gardes were formed in March 1854 as a mounted bodyguard for Napoleon III. The revived Imperial Order was disbanded following the French defeat in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870.
**A FRENCH MODEL 1896 CAVALRY OFFICER`S BACKSWORD, APRIL 1914of regulation type, the blade with full details including Châtellerault arsenal inscription and the date, brass hilt, in its leather field service scabbardProvenanceJoseph Masquelier, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 29th August 1967JWHA Inv. No. 3407
**A PRUSSIAN INFANTRY OFFICER`S SWORD, EARLY 19TH CENTURY; TWO FRENCH OFFICER`S SWORDS; AND A DANISH MODEL 1858 OFFICER`S SWORDwith regulation blade etched on one side with the Prussian order of the Eagle device and the cypher of `FR` on the other, and regulation brass hilt; the second with two-stage fullered blade engraved `Honneur et Patriè` on one side, and regulation brass hilt including boatshell guard, in a brass-mounted leather scabbard; the third with sparsely etched blade double-edged towards the point, brass hilt including boatshell-guard, plumed helmet pommel, and retaining a portion of its plaited wire binding; the fourth with curved blade by J. Herazcek & Søn, and white metal regulation hilt stamped en suitethe first:85.5 cm; 33 3/4 in blade(4)ProvenanceJWHA Inv. Nos. 3461, 345, 37.2, 3565
**A GERMAN (SAXON) OFFICER`S SWORD, EARLY 20TH CENTURY AND A GERMAN CAVALRY SWORD, FIRST HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURYthe first with etched regulation blade, brass stirrup hilt cast with the Saxon arms on the knuckle-guard, in its steel scabbard (worn); the second with curved regulation blade etched with trophies, foliage and a cornucopia, brass triple-bar hilt, shield-shaped langet and wire-bound gripthe first: 77.4 cm; 30 1/2 in blade(2)ProvenanceThe first: Joseph Rosenbaum, Worcester, Massachusetts, August 1959JWHA Inv. Nos. 3161, 3299
**TWO AUSTRIAN MODEL 1850 INFANTRY OFFICER`S SABRE AND AN AUSTRIAN MODEL 1861 INFANTRY OFFICER`S SABREthe first with earlier curved fuller blade inscribed `Frince.` (rubbed) on one side and with celestial motifs on the other, regulation steel hilt, fishskin-covered grip, in a contemporary steel scabbard; the second with 18th century Turkish blade retaining traces of gold decoration (erased), regulation steel hilt, fishskin-covered grip, in a contemporary steel scabbard; and the third with earlier Hungarian broad fullered blade double-edged towards the point, etched with the figure of Mary on one face and a Patriarchal cross on the other, and with pious inscriptions including `Maria Mater Dei Patronia Hungaria Sub tuum Pace sicium confugio [sic]`, regulation hilt, fishskin-covered grip, in a contemporary steel scabbard with two loops for suspensionthe first: 73.5 cm; 29 in blade(3)ProvenanceThe Armoury of Archduke Eugen, Fortress Hohenwerfen, Salzburg, Austria, sold Anderson Galleries, New York, 1st - 5th March 1927, part of lot 487JWHA Inv. Nos. 269, 270, 161
**AN AUSTRIAN MODEL 1845 CAVALRY OFFICER`S SWORDwith minor variations, with curved `kilig` style blade formed with a reinforced back-edged, etched with trophies, a sun-in-splendour, scrolls of foliage and celestial motifs on each face and retaining traces of early gilding, regulation steel hilt pierced with two slots at the top, engraved `FI` probably for Ferdinand I (reigned 1835-48), wire-bound fishskin-covered grip, in its steel scabbard 83.5 cm; 32 7/8 in bladeProvenanceThe Armoury of Archduke Eugen, Fortress Hohenwerfen, Salzburg, Austria, sold Anderson Galleries, New York, 1st - 5th March 1927, part of lot 487JWHA Inv. No. 272
**A HUNGARIAN MODEL 1811 INFANTRY OFFICER`S SWORD AND AN EAST EUROPEAN OR RUSSIAN SWORD, LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURYthe first with curved fullered blade double-edged towards the point, regulation brass stirrup hilt cast with fluted floral patterns, fishskin-covered grip, in its leather scabbard (in two pieces), with brass mounts en suite; the second with slightly curved fullered blade double-edged towards the point, brass stirrup hilt, and spirally carved wooden gripthe first: 85 cm; 33 1/2 in blade(2)ProvenanceThe first: The Armoury of Archduke Eugen, Fortress Hohenwerfen, Salzburg, Austria, sold Anderson Galleries, New York, 1st - 5th March 1927, lot 5JWHA Inv. Nos. 26, 2070
**A SPANISH SWORD, DATED 1740; A SPANISH OFFICER`S SWORD DATED 1863; A SPANISH MODEL 1895 MOUNTED TROOPER`S SABRE, DATED 1897; A SPANISH MODEL 1867 INFANTRY OFFICER`S SWORD; AND A SPANISH MODEL 1844 CIVIL GUARD SARGEANT`S SWORDthe first with double-edged blade etched `Carlos III` and `Dragones Toledo 1740` on the respective faces, iron hilt formed of a down-curved quillon, three-ring outer-guard, knuckle-guard, and inner-guard all secured by threaded bolts, moulded pommel and wire-bound spirally carved grip; the second with etched regulation blade, decorated with a running pattern of foliage, the date the Royal arms and crowned cypher `Y2`, folding side-guard, in its scabbard; the third of regulation type, with etched blade including Toledo inscription and the date, in its scabbard; the fourth with shortened Toledo blade and regulation brass hilt; the fifth with dated Toledo blade and regulation brass hiltthe first: 80.5 cm; 31 3/4 in blade(5)ProvenanceThe third, fourth, fifth: Milton R. Macintosh, Rhode Island, acquired December 1970, nos. 21, 15, 20JWHA Inv. Nos. 2066, 355, 3566, 3602, 3605
**A RARE CONFEDERATE STATES, FOOT OFFICER`S SWORD, CIRCA 1863-65with curved single-edged blade cut with a long broad fuller on each face, stamped `C. Roby, W. Chelmsford., Mass.`, brass hilt pierced and cast in low relief, including the letters `CS` beneath a five-point star on the outside, leather-bound grip retaining a very small portion of plaited wire binding, in a contemporary steel scabbard89 cm; 35 in bladeProvenanceJWHA Inv. No. 3460Christopher Roby is recorded 1814-99.It has been suggested that the sword was assembled by Boyle & Gamble or Boyle, Gamble & Mitchell, Virginia.
**A U.S. MODEL 1850 STAFF AND FIELD OFFICER`S SWORDwith curved regulation blade etched with scrolls of foliage and trophies on each face, the letters `US` on one face, and `E. Pluribus Unum` and an American eagle charged with a thirteen star shield on the other, etched with the maker`s details `W.H. Horstmann & Sons, Philadelphia` at the forte and `iron proof` on the back-edge, regulation brass hilt pierced with foliage and `US`, wire-bound fishskin-covered grip, in its steel scabbard85.4 cm; 33 5/8 in bladeProvenanceJWHA Inv. No. 3458
**A U.S. MODEL 1850 STAFF AND FIELD OFFICER`S SWORDwith curved regulation blade etched with scrolls of foliage and trophies on each face, the letters `US` on one face, and `E. Pluribus Unum` and an American eagle charged with a thirteen star shield on the other, etched `iron proof` on the back-edge, regulation brass hilt pierced with foliage, cap pommel engraved with the American shield enclosed by nineteen stars, wire-bound fishskin-covered grip, in its steel scabbard with brass mounts, the middle band and locket each punched with stars80.5 cm; 31 3/4 in bladeProvenanceJWHA Inv. No. 3297
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