Antique Arms & Militaria

A Very Fine & Rare, Signally Beautiful, Anglo-American War of 1812, 'Eagle Head' & Scroll Fretted Hilt, American Officer's Sabre. In Great Condition.

It was quite extraordinary, but we acquired a pair of these fabulous and very rare American eagle head pommel and scroll fretted hilted sabres, that have been together since the war, possibly owned by brothers that served, but naturally, officer's swords were never sold as pairs, or indeed used as such, but, none the less, they have been together for almost 200 years. We are, however, selling them individually.

Eagle head pommel with fully feathered back strap, in brass, with scroll fretted knuckle guard, and carved bone grip. Almost all the deluxe grade American officer’s sabres had the expensive alternative option of a carved bone hilt, as opposed to carved ivory, as enjoyed by their British counterparts, as the new nation of America lost all its access to ivory after its split from being part of the British colonial forces. Another one of the long list of negative consequences resulting from the revolution of 1776. It has an engraved bright polished blade, and its original brass mounted leather scabbard, with both twin ring belt strap supports, and an alternative wear option of a frog mount stud. Overall in excellent condition, with usual aged blade etching surface wear.
Used in the War of 1812 period, and a very nice example of these very fine swords,For Canadians, historically, the War of 1812 was the successful defence of a small colony against attack by a much larger neighbour.
Canadians endured repeated invasions and occasional occupations, but each invasion ultimately ended with an American withdrawal. The Royal Navy and British Army supported by Canadian regulars, Canadian militia, and First Peoples warriors, successfully defended Canada. Isaac Brock, Charles de Salaberry, Laura Secord, and Tecumseh became, and remain, iconic Canadian figures. The successful defence of Canada allowed British North America to evolve into an independent transcontinental country.
The War of 1812 was fought between the United States of America and Great Britain and its colonies, Upper and Lower Canada and Nova Scotia, from 1812 to 1815 on land and sea. The Americans declared war on Britain on June 18, 1812, for a combination of reasons, outrage at the impressment (seizure) of thousands of American sailors, frustration at British restraints on neutral trade while Britain warred with France, and anger at British support for native attacks along the frontier which conflicted with American expansion and settlement into the Old Northwest. The war started poorly for the Americans as their attempts to invade Canada were repeatedly repulsed; later in the war, American land forces proved more effective. The Royal Navy lost some early single-ship battles but eventually their numbers told and the naval blockade of the eastern seaboard ruined American commerce, and led to extreme dissatisfaction in New England. Following the American raid and burning of York (now Toronto), the British raided the Chesapeake Bay area and burned parts of Washington D.C. but were repulsed at Baltimore and withdrew. The Americans gained naval control of Lake Erie and Lake Champlain, preventing the planned British invasion of New York. The Americans destroyed the power of the native people of the Northwest and Southeast. With the defeat of Napoleon in 1814, and the stalemate on the battlefields, both nations agreed to a peace that left the prewar boundaries intact.  read more

Code: 25299

A Fine Scarce, Antique, Chinese Dadao Sword, Ching Dynasty. Used From the Opium Wars and The Boxer Rebellion. The Ching or Qing Dynasty Was Founded From 1644 and Ruled Until 1912.

A big and impressive sword with a long single edged blade. Black iron mounts to the leather bound scabbard and sword guard, round pommel wide cord wrapped grip, with plaited sword knot. Made in the Ching {Qing} Dynasty. Used during the Taiping Rebellion, the Opium Wars and into the Boxer Rebellion era, and most likely brought back to England by a soldier that either served in the Taiping Rebellion the Opium War, or defended the legations at the siege in Peking.

This weight of sword was frequently used not only in battle but for executions. All black finish.
The Taiping Rebellion was a widespread civil war in southern China from 1850 to 1864, led by heterodox Christian convert Hong Xiuquan, who having received visions, maintained that he was the younger brother of Jesus Christ against the ruling Manchu-led Qing Dynasty. About 20 million people died, mainly civilians, in one of the deadliest military conflicts in history.

Hong established the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, officially the "Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace", with its capital at Nanjing. The Kingdom's army controlled large parts of southern China, at its height containing about 30 million people. The rebels attempted social reforms believing in shared "property in common" and the replacement of Confucianism, Buddhism and Chinese folk religion with a form of Christianity. The Taiping troops were nicknamed "Long Hair" by the Qing {Ching} government. The Taiping areas were besieged by Qing forces throughout most of the rebellion. The Qing government crushed the rebellion with the eventual aid of French and British forces. The Opium Wars, also known as the Anglo-Chinese Wars, divided into the First Opium War from 1839 to 1842 and the Second Opium War from 1856 to 1860, were the climax of disputes over trade and diplomatic relations between China under the Qing Dynasty and the British Empire. After the inauguration of the Canton System in 1756, which restricted trade to one port and did not allow foreign entrance to China, the British East India Company faced a trade imbalance in favour of China and invested heavily in opium production to redress the balance. British and United States merchants brought opium from the British East India Company's factories in Patna and Benares, in the Indian state of Bengal, to the coast of China, where they sold it to Chinese smugglers who distributed the drug in defiance of Chinese laws. Aware both of the drain of silver and the growing numbers of addicts, the Dao Guang Emperor demanded action. Officials at the court who advocated legalization of the trade in order to tax it were defeated by those who advocated suppression. In 1838, the Emperor sent Lin Zexu to Guangzhou where he quickly arrested Chinese opium dealers and summarily demanded that foreign firms turn over their stocks. When they refused, Lin stopped trade altogether and placed the foreign residents under virtual siege, eventually forcing the merchants to surrender their opium to be destroyed. In response, the British government sent expeditionary forces from India which ravaged the Chinese coast and dictated the terms of settlement. The Treaty of Nanking not only opened the way for further opium trade, but ceded territory including Hong Kong, unilaterally fixed Chinese tariffs at a low rate, granted extraterritorial rights to foreigners in China which were not offered to Chinese abroad, a most favoured nation clause, as well as diplomatic representation. When the court still refused to accept foreign ambassadors and obstructed the trade clauses of the treaties, disputes over the treatment of British merchants in Chinese ports and on the seas led to the Second Opium War and the Treaty of Tientsin.
Hero of China, British General Gordon, was presented with an identical example, and he is carrying his, while dress in his Chinese garb, in the picture shown in the gallery. He was known affectionately as "Chinese" or "China" Gordon. Overall very good condition. He later became known as Gordon of Khartoum, as he was assassinated by the Mahdi's warriors at the end of the siege of Khartoum

The Qing dynasty, officially the Great Qing, was the Manchu-led last dynasty in the imperial history of China. It was proclaimed in 1636 in Manchuria, in 1644 entered Beijing, extended its rule to cover all of China proper, and then extended the empire into Inner Asia. The dynasty lasted until 1912. The Qing Dynasty fell in 1911, overthrown by a revolution brewing since 1894 when western-educated revolutionary Sun Zhongshan formed the Revive China Society in Hawaii, then Hong Kong. In 1911, the Nationalist Party of China held an uprising in Wuchang, helped by Qing soldiers, and 15 provinces declared their independence from the empire. Within weeks the Qing court agreed to the creation of a republic with its top general, Yuan Shikai, as president.

Xuantog abdicated in 1912, with Sun creating a provisional constitution for the new country, which ushered in years of political unrest centered around Yuan.

In 1917, there was a brief attempt to reinstate the Qing government, with Xuantog being restored for less than two weeks during a military coup that ultimately failed.

The Boxer Rebellion, more properly called the Boxer Uprising, or the Righteous Harmony Society Movement was a violent anti-foreign, anti-Christian movement called the "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" in China, but known as the "Boxers" in English. The main 'Boxer' era occurred between 1898 and 1901. This fascinating era was fairly well described in the Hollywood movie classic ' 55 Days in Peking' Starring Charlton Heston and David Niven. The film gives a little background of Ching Dynasty's humiliating military defeats suffered during the Opium Wars, Sino-French War and Sino-Japanese war or the effect of the Taiping Rebellion in weakening the Ching Qing Dynasty. However, situations in which the various colonial powers exerted influence over China (a great source of outrage that drove many Chinese to violence) are alluded to in the scene in which Sir Arthur Robinson and Major Lewis visit the Empress after the assassination of the German minister.

* Dowager Empress - "….the Boxer bandits will be dealt with, but the anger of the Chinese people cannot be quieted so easily. The Germans have seized Kiaochow, the Russians have seized Port Arthur, the French have obtained concessions in Yunnan, Kwan See and Kwantang. In all, 13 of the 18 provinces of China are under foreign control. Foreign warships occupy our harbours, foreign armies occupy our forts, foreign merchants administer our banks, foreign gods disturb the spirit of our ancestors. Is it surprising that our people are aroused?"
* Sir Arthur Robinson - "Your Majesty if you permit me to observe, the violence of the Boxers will not redress the grievences of China"
* Dowager Empress - "China is a prostrate cow, the powers are not content milking her, but must also butcher her."
* Sir Arthur Robinson - "If China is a cow your majesty, she is indeed a marvelous animal. She gives meat as well as milk…." The Dadao was continually used by Chinese Nationalist Army in the 1930's. the Pictures in the gallery of the Boxers 1900 and the combat in the siege.  read more

Code: 25382

A Very Fine Deluxe Quality 9mm Pinfire Revolver With 'New York' Engraving. One Of The Most Handsome Examples of The Earliest Antique Cartridge Revolver’s We Have Ever Seen

With a most rare form of extended long barrel, a good tight action, with folding trigger and a jolly nice original finish remaining on the cylinder. Maker marked Lefaucheux Brevete with serial number. The two piece chequered wooden grips secured with a central screw and a lanyard ring. Stamped with Belgian (ELG) proof mark to the cylinder. Single and double action. Action in very good working order. Overall length 11.25 inches. In good condition with some natural signs of wear and use. A lot of blueing remaining on the cylinder etc. extended barrel with foresight. Pinfire pistols were very popular indeed during the Civil War and the Wild West period but very expensive as they took the all new pinfire cartridge, which revolutionised the way revolvers operated, as compared to the old fashioned percussion action. In fact, while the percussion cap & ball guns were still in production such as made by Remington, Colt and Starr and being used in the American Civil War, the much more efficient and faster pinfire guns that were only made from around 1860 were the fourth most popular gun chosen in the US, by those that could afford them, during the war. General Stonewall Jackson was presented with two deluxe pinfire pistols with ivory grips, and many other famous personalities of the war similarly used them. The American makers could not possibly fulfill all the arms contracts that were needed to supply the war machine, especially by the non industrialised Confederate Southern States. So, London made guns were purchased, by contract, by the London Arms Company in great quantities, as the procurement for the war in America was very profitable indeed. They were despatched out in the holds of hundreds of British merchant ships. First of all, the gun and sword laden vessels would attempt to break the blockades, surrounding the Confederate ports, as the South were paying four times or more the going rate for arms, but, if the blockade proved to be too efficient, the ships would then proceed on to the Union ports, such as in New York where the price paid was still excellent, but only around double the going rate. This pistol was the type that was so popular, as a fast and efficient revolvers by many of the officers of both the US and the CSA armies, and later, in the 1870's onwards by gamblers and n'ear do wells in the Wild West.

As with all our antique guns, no license is required as they are all unrestricted antique collectables  read more

Code: 23702

A Most Rare And Superb, Napoleonic Wars Year 9 French Gendarmerie Flintlock Pistol. It Great Condition For Age. All Blackened Steel Mounts And Made From The Maubeuge Manufacture Contract

Lock engraved Maubeuge Manufacture, barrel with proof stamp and serial number upon the inner side. Fine walnut stock with traditional; birds head butt. Although designed and initially made for the incredibly well respected French armed gendarmerie, it was so good at it’s task, being smaller than the regular officer’s flintlock pistols, but capable of packing a huge punch, it was chosen by many officers of both infantry and cavalry to be their personal carried pistol of choice.

The gendarmerie of France, from the Revolutionary period into the Imperial 1st Empire, was incredibly efficient at keeping the streets of Paris, and beyond, safe. They had a no nonsense attitude {as they still do} and they were feared and respected in equal measure. There was very often a comparison made in the press at the time, that the streets of France were relatively safe, compared to those of England {without armed police}, that were notoriously unsafe. Although, however unsafe in Britain, murder was still relatively rare, possibly, as punishments, when the villain was apprehended for any crime, were most harsh.

Général de brigade Charles André Merda, baron Meda was a famous French officer. A National Guards commander in the Parisian National Guard from September 1789, then a general of the gendarme from 1794, and he participated in the arrest of |Citizen Revolutionary Maximilien de Robespierre on the night of 9/10 thermidor Year II (27 July 1794) and claimed to have fired the pistol shot which broke Robespierre's jaw and hit Couthon's helper in his leg, {see the painting of him using the very same form of gendarmerie pistol}
Maximilien François Marie Isidore de Robespierre was a French lawyer and statesman, widely recognized as one of the most influential and controversial figures of the French Revolution. Robespierre fervently campaigned for the voting rights of all men and their unimpeded admission to the National Guard.
Additionally he advocated for the right to petition, the right to bear arms in self-defence, and the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade. He was a radical Jacobin leader who came to prominence as a member of the Committee of Public Safety, an administrative body of the First French Republic. His legacy has been heavily influenced by his actual or perceived participation in repression of the Revolution's opponents, but is notable for his progressive views for the time.

As one of the prominent members of the Paris Commune, Robespierre was elected as a deputy to the National Convention in early September 1792. He joined the radical Montagnards, a left-wing faction. However, he faced criticism for purportedly trying to establish either a triumvirate or a dictatorship. In April 1793, Robespierre advocated the mobilization of a sans-culotte army aiming at enforcing revolutionary laws and eliminating any counter-revolutionary elements. This call led to the armed Insurrection of 31 May – 2 June 1793. On 27 July he was appointed a member of the Committee of Public Safety.

Robespierre faced growing disillusionment among others due in part to the politically motivated violence advocated by the Montagnards. Increasingly, members of the Convention turned against him, and accusations piled up on 9 Thermidor. Robespierre was arrested and taken to a prison. Approximately 90 individuals, including Robespierre, were executed without trial in the following days, marking the onset of the Thermidorian Reaction.
As is so often the case, in fact almost without exception, revolutionaries, once successful in casting out the old political caste and so called enemy of the people, then turn on themselves and
either depose, execute, murder or imprison their Co-conspirators. In fact this writer cannot think of a single revolution in history where this was not the case. For example even in technically non-revolutionary causes, the French , Italian and Belgian resistance groups of WW2, once successfully witnessing the occupation of their countries by the Third Reich, then set amongst themselves, often attempting to kill their opposing resistance organisations leaders and or members, in the very brief time that the rule of law was vacant.  read more

Code: 25391

An Amazing, Huge, Antique Indian Ceremonial Steel Tabar Axe Inlaid in Brass, With Scene of Krishna & Temple Decor. Massive Crescentric Blade and Spike End, And Steel Chhajjas

This is a very unusual and rare tabar indeed, as it is twice the size of any example we have seen before, certainly in the past 100 years. The last example we saw was in the Dr. Jorg Zimmerman Collection.

Of typical shape with a large crescentric cutting edge, embellished with chased brass overlaid figural decoration depicting Krishna playing the flute inside a domed shrine, flanked by two attendants surrounded with etched floral decor with inscription and surmounted by steel chhajjas (domed pavillion-shaped structures) the top of the axe head has a sharp faceted steel spike, the patinated wooden shaft is embellished with brass rosettes and a domed pommel end. ,

This 19th century tabar - or saddle axe - is Indian. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the tabar was a standard weapon given to calvalrymen on the field of battle. The tabar would have been carried under the horseman's saddle. This is the elaborate ceremonial version of the tabar saddle axe.
Krishna
Krishna, Sanskrit Kṛṣṇa, one of the most widely revered and most popular of all Indian divinities, worshipped as the eighth incarnation (avatar, or avatara) of the Hindu god Vishnu and also as a supreme god in his own right. Krishna became the focus of numerous bhakti (devotional) cults, which have over the centuries produced a wealth of religious poetry, music, and painting. The basic sources of Krishna’s mythology are the epic Mahabharata and its 5th-century-CE appendix, the Harivamsha, and the Puranas, particularly Books X and XI of the Bhagavata-purana. They relate how Krishna (literally “black,” or “dark as a cloud”) was born into the Yadava clan, the son of Vasudeva and Devaki, who was the sister of Kamsa, the wicked king of Mathura (in modern Uttar Pradesh). Kamsa, hearing a prophecy that he would be destroyed by Devaki’s child, tried to slay her children, but Krishna was smuggled across the Yamuna River to Gokula (or Vraja, modern Gokul), where he was raised by the leader of the cowherds, Nanda, and his wife Yashoda.

The child Krishna was adored for his mischievous pranks; he also performed many miracles and slew demons. As a youth, the cowherd Krishna became renowned as a lover, the sound of his flute prompting the gopis (wives and daughters of the cowherds) to leave their homes to dance ecstatically with him in the moonlight. His favourite among them was the beautiful Radha. At length, Krishna and his brother Balarama returned to Mathura to slay the wicked Kamsa. Afterward, finding the kingdom unsafe, Krishna led the Yadavas to the western coast of Kathiawar and established his court at Dvaraka (modern Dwarka, Gujarat). He married the princess Rukmini and took other wives as well.

Krishna refused to bear arms in the great war between the Kauravas (sons of Dhritarashtra, the descendant of Kuru) and the Pandavas (sons of Pandu), but he offered a choice of his personal attendance to one side and the loan of his army to the other. The Pandavas chose the former, and Krishna thus served as charioteer for Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers. On his return to Dvaraka, a brawl broke out one day among the Yadava chiefs in which Krishna’s brother and son were slain. As the god sat in the forest lamenting, a huntsman, mistaking him for a deer, shot him in his one vulnerable spot, the heel, killing him.  read more

Code: 25964

A Most Interesting & Unusual Form of Antique Tibetan Buddhist Large Dagger-Short Sword. A Dpa'dam. Decorated With Repousse Dragon and Buddha, Seated in the Padmasana Pose, in Dhyana Mudra, With Mandorla, a Coral Stone Bead Inset & Unalome Spiral Sun

The Buddhist spiral unalome sun represents the confusing, winding path of life before spiritual awakening, with its detours and obstacles. Carved polished bone handle. Single edged steel blade.

Tibetan craftsmanship, blending deep spiritual symbolism with intricate artistic detail.

Buddhist symbols on oriental weapons include images like Buddha, seated in the padmasana pose, in dhyana mudra, with mandorla, the Dragon, Vajra (thunderbolt), the Dharma Wheel, the Lotus flower, and Kannon, the thousand-armed deity, the Sun Wheel Spiral. These symbols serve as protection for the user, represent inner power or the Buddha's teachings, and reflect spiritual qualities like mindfulness and the growth of the spirit through practice. Engravings of Buddhist figures like Fudo and Sanskrit characters are also common for warding off evil.

Tibetan Buddhism is a form of Buddhism that evolved in Tibet and is practiced in the Himalayan region, Bhutan, Mongolia, and parts of Russia, with a global following. It combines Mahayana Buddhist teachings with Vajrayana (Tantric) practices and elements from the indigenous Tibetan religion, Bon. Key aspects include a strong emphasis on the teacher-student relationship, the Tulku tradition (recognized reincarnating lamas), and a spiritual ideal centered on the bodhisattva, who seeks enlightenment for all beings.

Overall 19.5 inches long, blade 14.5 inches long  read more

Code: 25963

 read more

Code: 25962

A Beautiful & Sacred, Antique Tibetan Buddhist Wall Hanging Featuring A Dragon & Buddhist Symbology. A Simply Stunning, Somewhat Esoteric, Work Of Art

This rare sacred ritual wall hanging is a stunning embodiment of traditional Tibetan craftsmanship, blending deep spiritual symbolism with intricate artistic detail. Measuring 35 inches long, this piece features vibrant turquoise and coral stones, thoughtfully embedded into a brass symbolic cross, to enhance both its visual appeal and spiritual energy. Made with stones, including turquoise and coral, the materials used elevate the beauty and symbolism. This stunning wall hanging serves not only as a beautiful decorative element but also as a meaningful symbol of Tibetan ritual traditions. Its exceptional design, crafted from brass and copper and adorned with turquoise and coral stones, and spiritual significance make it an ideal addition for those seeking to enrich their environment with authentic cultural artistry and serene energy.

It showcases exquisite, intricate detailing that captures the core of Tibetan spiritual traditions. The embedded turquoise stones, renowned for their protective and healing qualities, complement the vibrant coral, which represents life force and vitality, creating a piece rich in symbolism and positive energy. Beyond its striking aesthetic, the wall hanging serves as a meaningful tribute to Tibetan culture and its profound spiritual heritage. Perfect for enhancing the ambiance of your home, meditation room, or sacred space, it brings a sense of tranquility and reverence. This artful creation not only elevates your décor but also invites healing and vitality, making it an essential addition for anyone seeking to deepen their connection with Tibetan spirituality and enrich their surroundings with authentic cultural significance.  read more

Code: 25953

A Simply Stunning & Unique 'Good King Wenceslas' Art Nouveau Original Illuminated Calligrafic Manuscript Watercolour, From The Golden Age of illustration, By Arthur B Packham. In The Manner Of Alberto Sangorsky. Calligrapher and Illuminator for Riviere

This wonderful original illuminated manuscript would make a superb and most pertinent Chistmas Gift, or a singularly fine addition to any collection of rare works of art, especially dedicated to the golden age of illustration

Circa 1897. A.B.Packham's artistry, calligraphy and illumination is incredibly similar to renown calligraphic illuminated manuscript artists Alberto Sangorsky, and William Morris. Sanghorsky was the Calligrapher and Illuminator for Riviere & Son world reknown bookbinders. His works within bound volumes, that are including his original manuscripts, can achieve from £20,000 to over £150,000. Sangorski's profession was as a secretary to a goldsmith until he was 43 years of age, whereupon he began to create works for his brother at Riviere and Sons.

The first two lines and last two lines of the carol's first verse are part of the calligraphy on pure gold leaf.

The painting is in two sections, Good King Wenceslas observing from his window, {the second section} a poor man gathering winter fuel.

Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen,

When a poor man came in sight,
Gathering winter fuel.

The words to the carol were written in 1853 by John Mason Neale but the melody is much older – it’s a 13th-century tune called ‘Tempus adest floridum’ in praise of the spring.

The carol was written for the Feast of St Stephen, better known as Boxing Day. And it celebrates the long tradition of charitable giving on the Second Day of Christmas.

It’s become one of the best loved carols ever written – and was even performed by The Beatles.

A. B. Packham was an architect by profession but illustrated several books based around country properties and walks around Sussex. Being a professional man, apparently, he had no interest in marketing his skillful works, so very few of his watercolurs are recorded. This example has to be one of his premier works.
Whether he followed the art of his famous contemporary, Alberto Sangorski, or followed his own path is not known, but his artistry is superb, and this wonderful piece may have been created for a book that we are currently unaware of.

The combination of "Art Nouveau" and "illuminated manuscript watercolours" describes a modern artistic approach that blends the decorative, organic style of Art Nouveau with the historical techniques of illuminated manuscripts, often using watercolor as the primary medium for modern creations. This fusion results in contemporary works that feature Art Nouveau's characteristic flowing lines, nature-inspired motifs (like tendrils and organic forms), and intricate details, but are created on a modern medium and often utilize watercolor techniques for coloring and shading. It is distinct from the original medieval practice of illuminated manuscripts, which used pigments like tempera and gouache, not watercolors

Key characteristics
Art Nouveau's influence: Incorporates the style's hallmarks, such as sinuous, organic lines, natural forms, and complex decorative patterns.
Illuminated manuscript tradition: Draws inspiration from historical manuscripts, often focusing on decorative initial letters and intricate borders.
Watercolor medium: Uses watercolor for coloring, shading, and creating effects, unlike the historical use of pigments like tempera or gouache.
Nature-inspired motifs: Features designs rooted in nature, such as flowers, leaves, and other botanical elements.

In frame 11.5 inches x 8.75 inches, the manuscript is 8.75 x 5.75 inches

Within its original wooden banded frame {bearing a couple of nicks}

Interestingly it was framed over 125 years ago by our former neighbours, W. Stepney gilders and frame makers in Bond St. Brighton  read more

Code: 25957